How to Create Bonsai from Regular Trees | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook learns about the ancient art of Bonsai.
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Time: 3 hours
Cost: $50 and Up
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools List for Creating Bonsai:
Concave cutter
Bonsai shear
Wire cutters
Root Rake
Shopping List:
Tree
Bonsai pot
Bonsai Wire
Bonsai soil
Screens
Steps:
1. Begin with a tree in a container and find the face and the front that you want to celebrate.
2. The Bonsai height should be about six times the size of the trunk.
3. Take the top off of the tree with the concave cutter.
4. Pluck the needles off the branches to make room for wiring.
5. Prune out smaller branches to give the tree more shape.
6. Use thick Bonsai wire to anchor the tree to the soil and then wrap the trunk to the top. Use wire cutters to cut the wire to size.
7. Use thinner wire to anchor the branches, working from the bottom up.
8. Bend the branches to the desired angles.
9. Rake the roots, starting at the bottom, knocking soil off of the root ball.
10. Spread the roots out.
11. Add screens to the container holes and hold them in place with wire.
12. Add wires to anchor the tree to the container.
13. Add Bonsai soil to the container and set the tree into the container about _ off to the side with the apex appearing to bow.
14. Use wire to anchor the tree to the pot.
15. Add more soil to the pot firmly. Add decorate rocks or moss as desired.
16. Dunk the tree in a basin of water to remove air bubbles.
17. Water with a hose and soft nozzle.
18. After a year, remove the wires from the tree.
Resources:
Roger visited Bonsai West (www.bonsaiwest.com/) in Littleton, Massachusetts.
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Create Bonsai from Regular Trees | Ask This Old House
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[@npknhdfrvr]

This is one of the most unintentionally hilarious thing I’ve watched but the comments make it so much better

[@kaywood6495]

3 of my assumptions: 1.They were establishing dominance. (the way they ripped/handed the plants from each other) 2. One man stole the other mans high school sweetheart 30 years ago (never resolved) Or 3. This was filmed at gun point.

[@AemandaLyn]

I believe it was 2. One of them started landscaping and got a girlfriend, she loved his artistic style with yards. The other saw Jesse's girl and wish he had her, so boom bonsai happened. She was Owen Wilson wowed by how small he could get them. He wished that he had Jesse's girl and he got her.

[@CSZG974]

4. The Bonsai maker is either a former alc or something quite close I reckon. Look at how he shakes. And he also puts the therapeutic aspect forward. Si yeah either drunk or super shaky cause or past and cameras lol.

[@KodaTheMal]

Lol yea, at 2:42 he has to mention his landscaping knowledge, its #1

[@Luke-mq7nj]

Its1

[@baldorigami]

This made mi day. 🤣

[@safesafe1739]

My plants die when i look at them but this guy basically beats his trees to submission 👏👏👏

[@Wsshdhbdd]

😂😂

[@JustEndah]

Exactly what I feel. 🤣

[@NeuroPulse]

Over watering?

[@majstealth]

i guess you have to force them to understand that it is time for water when you want it to get water, not when they think they might need some

[@dplachy]

These videos are great exposure, but are so misleading with tons of holes in the process. I've been practicing Bonsai for about 12 years now and it wasn't until the past 5 years that my garden has really taken off. ***Mistake number one: making a finished bonsai right away*** Between all the pruning, repotting and wiring....that's a receipe for a stressed out and soon to die plant.... Don't give up!

[@deancooper7760]

I've been doing bonsai for around 40 years. I have two comments on this video. 1) If you work a tree heavily, like this guy is doing, and then immediately re-pot it, you're going to almost certainly kill the tree. You should wait about a year before re-potting a heavily worked tree. You want to make sure the tree has recovered and is healthy before doing major root work. I'm sure this guy knows that and just wanted to give a demonstration of what the whole process of starting a new bonsai involves. 2) You can find lots of starter trees for way less than $50. People new to bonsai should understand that you are probably going to kill some trees as you learn the art. Don't blow a lot of money on something expensive. Accidentally killing it will discourage you from learning a beautiful art form.

[@Hanya1210]

Dean Cooper thanks for your advice. I actually bought bonsai trees several times and decided to stop since they all died 😢

[@austynross]

What's the adage? You break the legs or the arms but not both.

[@deancooper7760]

@@austynross Unless you're just going in for the kill.

[@shugies]

Any recommendations for the typical Enid tree to start with? Been thinking of getting into this but have no reference point to start at Thanks!

[@rodgon123]

Thank you i was about to say the same thing

[@hafsakhan7627]

The whole script is like an old tv show 😂 "I'm gonna do this without damaging the roots" "oh i gotta see that"

[@CSZG974]

Check out Dave Chappelle's impersonation it's exactly this vid lol

[@Exayevie]

Well it is an old tv show...

[@Skammerd]

They keep grabbing the pots from each other borderline aggressively. 😂

[@sean3278]

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed that!🤣

[@jaejaejaejaejaejae]

As soon as i saw that i had to check the comments to see if it was just me...

[@scallywag1716]

That’s a micro aggression that must not be tolerated!

[@Skammerd]

I don't think they meshed well personality wise. The guy wouldn't let Roger touch the plant.

[@cypeman8037]

I noticed that too, every time Roger picked up a pot the other bloke took it off him 😂

[@dj1400777]

9:22 the peace offering moss 😂 Somehow the thought of making one of these makes me feel at peace

[@everettmillette2567]

“Like I told you earlier” and practically yanks the tree back

[@StephJ0seph]

1:57 If you were curious about the time-stamp

[@incognitotorpedo42]

I watched it three times, and don't see the "aggression". I guess I'm weird.

[@leekilby9470]

IncognitoTorpedo you can’t “see” the aggression, you “feel” it...subliminal. It’s a vibe.

[@alanhyt79]

"It's MY tree!"

[@hijodelaisla275]

And it should be, "AS I told you earlier..." SHEESH! Our civilization is circling the drain.

[@Chris-bi4jm]

“Are we done?” Sounded enthusiastic lololol

[@markferrie6485]

1:55 You can hear the guys ticked off through his voice when the other guy picks the plant up 😂

[@MikeTheMaker1]

I never knew I wanted to Bonsai until I watched this video.

[@yurigumatay3152]

Mike Builds oof I bet you’ll love watching Bonsai Mirai! I’m no sponsor or anything but I recommend looking at their KZbin channel it’s actually really beautiful

[@yurigumatay3152]

Here m.kzbin.info/door/CEJYwZQU02gn5LU_rUSOpw

[@MikeTheMaker1]

Gyan Gumatay I just found what I’m doing this weekend.

[@dplachy]

I knew after the original Karate Kid...when I was a kid😂

[@gyananchan4256]

@@yurigumatay3152 Who are you, man of my name Thanks for the link btw

[@rune5416]

It's like an oblivion NPC convo

[@petefarx1882]

"It's all over root raker! Your tree is at a bend."

[@geofox9484]

Yes 😅

[@alicesworld3798]

I bursted out laughing.

[@shaishlo]

Exactly what i was thinking

[@carlmyers86]

A lot of shade in this video, and most of it isn't coming from the trees.

[@explicitwalrus6489]

Poetry

[@robbie8825]

Oh my lord xD the first 40 seconds of this video are absolutely hilarious! (If i’m not mistaken) The Boston accents mixed with the almost forcibly done interview...i’m crying this is great 😂

[@johnandertonwins]

I feel like this is recorded at gunpoint

[@misterkid]

when you try to pretend something isn't scripted while you're reading off the script

[@Fable1Guides]

lmfao

[@Glaudge]

not going to say it. not going to say it. not going to say it.

[@tonyanardelli9489]

Lmao!!!!

[@ainsleyharriott2209]

There’s a firing squad of guys with automatic rifles pointed at them, their mission is to pull off the ultimate bonsai from regular tree tutorial and everything is at stake

[@Hellooo134]

"I forced an AI to watch 3000 hours of bonsai youtube videos and this is the result"

[@MTPatriot1787]

"In this contaiiiinahhh?" lol

[@babycheesus666]

dude... you're killin me 🤣

[@billgateskilledmyuncle23]

Just add a lawta watuh

[@mxrclxst]

All I hear are 1940's mafia having a conversation about bonsai

[@smellypatel5272]

They have heavy boston accents lol

[@notadoctorshh6544]

hhahahahaaha

[@senordrifter8288]

"was it grown in this pot?" "I made it look like a tree from nature"

[@cartricks8126]

Good to see Roger again.

[@Ivegotwormsinme]

This is one of the most interesting and educational things I have ever watched on the internet. Not only did it answer every question I've ever had about Bonsai, it also made me feel comfortable enough to try it myself. Thank you!

[@vicentelopez4738]

Very pleasant to see culture being taught to someone who can appreciate it

[@JustEndah]

Yes!!! ❤️

[@kimrichardson8376]

Just seen this episode today. I’ll be honest I only watch this show when my husband puts it on. But I always watched it for Rogers part. I’m a retired Nurse and have cared for patients with Parkinson’s for years. Please tell Roger that I miss his episodes, that I’ve learn a lot from him and I pray he’s being well cared for and loved like he deserves. God Bless. Kim Richardson, New Brunswick, Canada 🇨🇦

[@mikbonsai]

Why are majority of the comments so negative. There is so much information packed into this video.

[@susansands1]

This is one of the best instructive bonsai videos online.

[@nathanmatusek9244]

Lol *Guy picks up tree *Other guy takes it from him *Guy picks up tree *Other guy takes it from him

[@judyzhu9261]

"just in this container" "absolutely remarkable" LOL this guy keeps avoiding his question

[@watersbrandon2001]

I know this annoyed me so much.

[@finnmartin281]

I love the way the are always snatching each others pots out of their hands then asking questions only to get a completely unrelated random statement in response.

[@James-lo5ne]

perfect video, exactly what i was looking to do.

[@tropicalheritagebonsaiandl8377]

Thanks for featuring Bonsai, lets spread this lovely ART

[@willt.9654]

This does a great job explaining how the process works. It’s equal parts organic and manipulated. Really fascinating stuff.

[@Indomavel10]

WOW love the way he simplify this process. Just love it. Btw, those bonsai on background are amazing!

[@lookingglassgardens358]

The Man from Bonsai West is truly a Master, his attention to the plants roots was the best ive seen, you can tell how beneficial it is by the beautiful healthy plants in all the shots.

[@MrB1923]

Any Japanese bonsai grower would be having a stroke seeing this video.

[@Anonymous_Eyeballs]

Imagine if we could maintain large trees like that irl. Giant beautiful art works everywhere

[@barryobama369]

I’m sure you could with strong enough wrappings

[@rahulchaudhary5257]

2:15 am and I don't know why am watching bonsai but I love it!

[@antoniomontgomery1349]

"Like I told you earlier" lmao

[@tolykozin]

its very rude and a lot of people in the US use that statement to assert some kind of superiority I guess.

[@Xscarecrowtx]

@@tolykozinWomp Womp

[@nabrismuftia]

This is the first tutorial I watched about making bonsai, and this is very amazing! Thank you very much! :-))

[@w23berry]

Very informative and he's a good instructor. Thanks!

[@fernandosanfranciscoca9278]

This is one of the easiest very detailed instructulral lectures I've seen!

[@joloch1484]

Love this. I actually did a big tree Christmas like fern tree in front yard with zip tie and prunes and made it look like bonsai...love love this video

[@udenost]

Very informative. I'm not a fan of the rehearsed-sounding dialog, but other than that this was a great video. Thanks. :)

[@gerardshorticultureculture7579]

This is a great video. Im glad they made this video. This old house is always relaxing to watch.

[@gioknows]

Very cool. My neighbor used to have a greenhouse full of bonsai's and I would look after them a couple of times a year when he went on vacation. It was very enjoyable and I really came to love those trees.

[@LairdKenneth]

So far the best Bonsai video so far. I have a wee squirrel planted tree in a pot that I thought would be cool to make ntoa bonsai, but didn't have a clue where to begin. Thanks for a great tutorial.

[@Blitz886]

9:09 "Are we done now?" dude, calm down... xD

[@mumintaha7883]

I'm enjoying your channel so much! Thank you for sharing all this.

[@SilverCymbal]

Ive been to this place many times and it's an amazing place. Bonsai West

[@raiderfrankdatank]

Brings back memories...

[@ivoivic2448]

"just raking the roots without damaging them". half of the roots are then promptly left on the soil pile.

[@padfrog193]

Not going to cause any doimage herah. *Brutally rips through root system, cutting major roots*

[@WTHFX]

Most of the roots that came off are the ones that are circling the sides and bottom of the pot. That contact leads to cold/heat exposure, perching water, girdling, or air exposure - all of which causes these roots to be dead or mostly dead. The important roots in a pine will be slightly swollen, with white-to-slightly orange tips. These roots are active with supportive mycorrhizae and you remove them at the tree's peril. I'm not supporting what Mr. Levin did in this video - you never want to do all that at once on a japanese white pine - but his root work wasn't all that aggressive.

[@WTHFX]

@Corn Pop It's possible I suppose, but generally the tree is tied in so the roots will circle and eventually completely fill the pot, repel water and given enough time, girdle and choke the plant to death. Root reduction is necessary, but the older the tree, the less frequent the repot. Masahiko Kimura has 400 yr old Junipers that he hasn't repotted in 40 years - old, refined trees reach a sort of stasis (this is particularly true of junipers).

[@mikeyoakes3010]

Wow this was vary well done! This is the true basics of bonsai! Careful not to wire too tight, and keep an eye on it! Some trees grow quicker than others. Bad wire scar can be ugly!

[@tanyajuli4145]

a really nice concise intro to bonsai... I'm so tempted!

[@vasudevmandal8707]

Best vdo for basic info of how to start off growing a bonsai.

[@samankeshmiri4287]

All that pot grabbing and all Roger got to do was a charity moss placement?

[@ZoomStranger]

well, yeah. Rogie was there to stimulate learning, not dominate the demo.

[@olivierallemeersch1966]

One of the best bonsai clips i’ve ever seen! Simple, see everythinf and great explenation!

[@PutuBonsai]

Koleksi bonsai yang indah

[@advhawk6455]

What an unexpected treat. I came for the renovation but I stayed for the bonsai.

[@polaroidsofpolarbears365]

Very informative! I've been fascinated by the art of bonsai for some time now, and some of the books I have, have made it look more complicated than it is. But your video took all that info I already had, and made it much more relatable and easy to understand.

[@keithgraber]

"Hey, this is a nice tree. Where'd this one come from?" "It fell off a truck. Fuggettaboutit."

[@BlackJesus8463]

lol

[@angelarussell3491]

This was a good video. Quick, Simple, music not overdone. I've been growing Bonsai for 20 years, but I'm going to subscribe to this one.

[@medicalminute4927]

I have seen so many videos but this one a great one for beginners… it gives little bit history n rules n shows how to do it.

[@memehell]

The way they take away trees from eachother LMAO

[@nickdunbar2967]

Very clear and straightforward. Thank you. I'm just preparing my materials for my first tree. I'm 60 this year. Hopefully I will get to see some improvement in my subjects!

[@rawbacon]

The moss really finished it off nicely.

[@jacquelinemartinez6985]

avec un grand plaisir de vous revoir avec vos videos

[@Lazarus-aap]

Here hold this tree, ok give it back now! He's like one of those borderline cats that wants to be touched but doesn't want to be touched....

[@gnome2024]

For years I've been wanting my own bonzai but never seen anything I really like. Now I can make my own perfect bonzai! Thanks TOH!

[@momsterzz]

7 months later, I’m curious: did you make a bonsai and how did it turn out?

[@diablodan1459]

2 years later how's your bonsai tree

[@nickgg6402]

4 years later, how is it going?

[@Dom-pf8wd]

Great video.I've been leary at delving in to bonsai, but want to get started and this is a great video for "simplifying" the process.

[@movingcow]

Wow thank you so much for that simple tutorial guys.

[@geoemm]

50 shades of gardening

[@mischr13]

XD

[@googletv9902]

He taught me more than Mr. Miyagi. I like it!

[@BalikesirCicek]

Harika bilgiler için teşekkür ederim. Türkiye'den herkese selamlar

[@siddiaz1623]

absolutely beautiful

[@Gr3nadgr3gory]

I would love to try and twist two different species of tree together like that. Perhaps mahogany and ironwood if I could get them.

[@stevenschnepp576]

I, too, like to kill plants.

[@inspectorsteve2287]

I was just researching this a few days ago. Great video.

[@johnstewart8849]

THIS is what I have been searching for!! FIVE stars!

[@buyerofsorts]

One of the few videos I watched at normal speed. Great video!

[@joeybaseball7352]

I never thought I would see a segment on Bonsai trees on This Old House.

[@scallywag1716]

Joey Baseball they are running out of topics...

[@yurigumatay3152]

Scallywag actually no bonsai is actually a real hobby just check out the KZbin channel bonsai mirai there are actual like events for these trees

[@ShakespeareCafe]

This is just a taste...enrolls in a graduate program in Bonsai from Heron's Bonsai Channel

[@thebushempress]

Fun video. I love the Buddha's hand citrus bonsai at 1:08 !

[@daze8410]

Thank you, I am working on a Ginkgo Bonsai and this has been really informative

[@harrisongetz1646]

me: i wanna do my own bonsai them: this bonsai is 70 years old

[@rebeccamcnutt5142]

I don't think it takes that long, that particular tree had just been maintained for that long.

[@harrisongetz1646]

@@rebeccamcnutt5142 nah it doesnt, but if you want ones that are large and established, then yes it takes that long

[@mecytotoxic]

this is so funny 😂

[@need100k]

Over 20 years ago I was in Walnut Creek, California to have breakfast at a Denny's and parked in a public parking lot. There were those planters in the parking lot and one had a tiny Chinese elm that had been stepped on and broken (wild tree), and was trying to grow back. I saw a perfect bonsai specimen. I had an aluminum can and drinking water, and hand pruners (I was in the landscape business), so I dug down and cut the root about 6" long put soil into the can, plenty of water, and took it home. Put it in a one gallon pot for one year, Then pulled it out and cut that long root and trimmed more roots. Put it into a very nice bonsai pot with some stones (just as shown in the video) and had it kept outdoors for 11 years. It went through the seasons each year outdoors. So sad when I moved away and gave it to a friend. I hope it's still being well cared for.

[@panavisionnot7180]

wonderful and inspiring.. many thanks

[@moisesdelapuente2911]

Hello from Torrance California

[@didthatreallyjust]

"In this container?!" LmfO

[@bennygeorge5896]

Simple and beautiful

[@mamacamano7507]

Thank you for your instructions, they are very helpful!

[@glennpatrick8908]

Me : I want to grow a bonsai it seems really therapeutic and relaxing These guys: *ripping plants out of each other’s hands*

[@YouTubeUzername]

1:50 “Like I told you earlier” omg SO rude!!

[@tolykozin]

Its funny but I hear a lot of Americans say this, it gives them some sense of superiority I guess. In my opinion its very rude and uncalled for,

[@jmBackyardfarm7360]

Thankyou , love to see many beautyfulltrees🌳🌲🌲,,

[@dthorne4602]

I love the tree swap after he butchers the pruning of the first one.

[@akepax72]

Laughed instantly when I opened the comment section, 4 sec in.

[@3Miami05]

I came too see if anyone else noticed them grabbing the pots from each other 🥴😂😂

[@Hanya1210]

One of the best videos I’ve ever seen. Thanks a lot

[@juleswithnorthstar]

REALLY??

[@mohannadmalik5373]

wow such beautiful art it's amazing how these can live with proper care and attention, I love it

[@Chuck59ish]

This video is at least 8 years old, Roger looks younger and more spry than he is now. I wonder what the tree look like now.

[@redlaserfox3988]

Their accents are hilarious 🤣

[@Thousand.cranes.bonsai]

i came to the comment section just to see who else noticed this!!

[@LindaB651]

@@Thousand.cranes.bonsai What accent?

[@allyally5586]

@@LindaB651 American accent

[@EdyPegasus]

@@LindaB651 They are from the Boston area. It is a distinct accent to the region.

[@EdyPegasus]

@@allyally5586 Far from an "American" accent. The "American" accent is found in much of the North East, North West and non-latino Florida areas.... and only because a few million from the North East moved there.

[@TrojanHorse1959]

That's so cool! Thank you for the educational video!

[@shmickyshmoe]

That was a great video!!! Well done and makes me hopeful