How To Create Large Bonsai

[@hyboirds1536]

It's crazy how he is always grabbing and bending branches, moving around the tree to see different angles, identifying spots to change or remove. It's a really cool bit of insight into how important perspective is. He sees trees in a totally different way then most people. He can see potential where other people just see a mess of branches. I never expected I would become this interested in bonsai...

[@joanroth8594]

Amazing Peter....I've learned so much from you, not just about bonsai, but about trees in general. You are a natural teacher and very generous of you to share your knowledge with the world. Thank you.

[@steveanacorteswa3979]

All it takes is 30 years and a master to create that beautiful trunk line. Glad to see you have a talented botanist helping you. Right now I have 8" of snow which is unusual here in Anacortes and I finally turned off the heater in my hoop house since the temp are above freezing, I have a lot of old 1.5 L wine bottles I fill with water and paint black to help moderate the temps in there. Can't wait for early spring. Thanks again for the video, nice to see the thinking in planning taper.

[@my_bonsai_and_koi]

Incredible! What a tree! And I learned today that I have to change my perspective when looking for new bonsai projects. Do not look down on the ground, but look straight up into the trees. Again, incredible! Thank you, Peter!

[@maryshoemaker7593]

Peter.. it’s so easy to see why you are a master.. yet so humble... I’ve watched many of these videos.. on days there isn’t a new video... I can honestly say there’s not one I didn’t appreciate... again.. thank you for sharing!!!

[@petercadimas6414]

You're welcome.

[@risky8370]

I always have to remind myself watching these kind of videos from you, that it takes time, to grow a work of art. And to keep my mind steady on what the end result is. Instead of instant gratification....always a mind exercise!

[@bonsaibob8253]

As always thank you again Peter for all you do for every bonsai enthusiast who admire you

[@jerrefisher2184]

I’m sorry I forgot to comment on the new opening of the video. I was hoping to see it again this week, but I see you’ve gone back to the older version. This opening was absolutely stunning and beautiful and thanks to whoever put it together. I hope to see more of it in the future. Thanks!

[@joanscott9323]

Wow! This is amazing! Thank you for bringing us along!!! I live in an area that can be explored with lots of open pasture and generations of groves of trees. I had wondered how best to explore and what to look for among the groups. Can’t wait to start walking around with this focus. Now am headed to your videos on air layering!! It’s wonderful how you challenge us all to look with new eyes!! Thank you!

[@carlbowman3366]

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge of bonsai. You have vastly improved my own skills. If I lived there I would work for you for free just so I could learn more.

[@damiangawlowski1297]

Thank you Peter for making this video; I have been very interested in making larger bonsai like the ones you have at the entrance to Herons. And thanks to Tibor for his excellent advice he gave me at the nursery last week - I’m now looking for the interesting large plants at the garden centres to turn into bonsai.

[@reste973]

What a great personality! A vast base of knowledge as well as outstanding results. My new hobby has been discovered during this time of C-19. Keep safe.

[@clockdude12]

This guy knows his stuff. I have a lot of his books, they're awesome!

[@conspiraterry7393]

Wow, this one really gets my creative juices flowing! I've been at my property 18 years now, I'm rethinking some of these trees in my yard now big time. Chop chop chop, "tree torture" as my friends jokingly say pays off! It is so great to see this process and I so appreciate you always telling us what you are thinking as you work. I would love to seen you pot up that air layered tree at the end.

[@tolbaszy8067]

Superb video! Making bonsai is making the future. Thank-you! Asking the guys who have to move the tree if two little ones are better than one big one gave a predictable practical response, not necessarily an artistic interpretation of the tree's potential! Very good!

[@mrhockett1]

You had me at "Oh.. what the hell... cut it all off!"... Great video. Thanks much!

[@russellgerard]

I hope to see more on the subject of large bonsai.

[@moze_R]

Thanks for this video and the insight into how you train your source material for large bonsai.

[@NMranchhand]

Fantastic! It would be fascinating to see an evaluation (unwrapping) of a variety of air layerings from your classes with an analysis of why some were more successful than others.

[@juliepdem5275]

NMranchhand I second this suggestion!! I truly appreciate the evaluations. For me, it’s MORE important to know why something DIDN’T work. Therein lies the true root (pun intended) of learning.

[@OurWorldHealth]

Thank you Peter. I am trimming trees and planning my first full year of air layers I will start right now and I love following along with you in your year. I hope you will make videos of how to dig up the trees as I have some stumps that I plan to dig up this Spring. I have never dug up stumps for bonsai before and I would love a video on that.

[@nothingnewtome1]

I really want to see an extra large 8ft bonsai please. I think you are right and this one looks beautiful as two trees but I LOVE the idea of very large bonsai. Please do more field grown large bonsai

[@robbeelsas]

I have a beech hedge with giant trunks. The hedge was here before the house was and has been consistently trimmed for the past 30 years. This makes me think, hedges could make a good starter for large bonsai as their trunks can grow to absolute massive diameters while they're foliage is consistently trimmed every year

[@prasanna.saikia]

Amazing. Would be interesting to see a video how the this massive tree is dug and repotted. Waiting for the update.

[@alexandrahuckins5298]

EYE PROTECTION!!! Guy with the chainsaw had full bib & brace body protection but nothing for his eyes, your eyesight is precious!

[@thebiggestpanda1]

Its called a “safety squint”.

[@sirbenreyes4446]

As always Sir Peter, your youtube vid is always enjoyable to watch. I never get bored of watching them. Thanks...

[@drstavroseleftheriou1722]

Another extremely informative video showing us the tricks of the trade. Thank u dear Peter.

[@styobudi22]

Appreciate so much your endless energy, Peter

[@jgomez4132]

Thank you Peter for your Grace and Wealth Of Experience. My Hero 💪🏻🏅

[@ArenDsiire]

Even though it's a bit crazy, I would love to see the huge single bonsai. You could absolutely get two beautiful smaller ones, but it would be amazing to see what you do with the tall one!

[@trailbieber5221]

I agree. I was invested in the video because of the title and sadly we didnt get what was promised. Still good info nontheless.

[@honeybabou6119]

Yes, Peter wanted it too but he got betrayed by his assistants: "What should we do? A single SPECTACULAR bonsai or we cut it here and we get two 4-foot bonsais?"

[@alexverdigris9939]

Bonsai tree in which man can climb? Why the heck not! I'd like to see the pot in which the giant bonsai tree will be accommodated, and the location where it will be placed. This is another scale we're talking. Fascinating project!

[@andreasknogler585]

I would like to see the further development of these hornbeams this year, when new growth would have come. Good job.

[@peterchan3100]

I will do that - the next operation is lifting the tree out of the ground with a mechanical digger and then potting it up and then wait for new shoots to grow in the Summer

[@EMATREMA]

peter chan if you air layer such massive trunks how long will it takes for the roots to be ready to be cut? Aproximatly of course... amazing videos as usual!!

[@peterchan3100]

@@EMATREMA Hornbeams take just 6 months - sometimes quicker.

[@craighunter3273]

A most interesting vid. You chaps certainly like your challenges. Re the large hornbeam. I initially thought two trees but after seeing it in the nude I can understand the vision you had. It would look wonderful in one piece. Big job though. A wonderful project. Cheers Craig

[@nancyfahey7518]

Very cool. I have 3 trees growing too close to my house. Lorepedelum Crepe myrtle Redbud All beautiful flowering trees getting about 6' high. Time to start trimming. Thank you again for your instructions.

[@msanchez7317]

Lovely. I wish I knew of a nursery like yours in the USA. If I'm in the UK sometime, I'll definitely pay you all a visit. Enjoy watching from afar. Take care.

[@milesryan6321]

Such a great video, really enjoyable.. I think the top half of the trunk is great and the bottom half has some very interesting hollows in the wood, i think it would make a really nice big bonsai.. Something unique and different.

[@jahpickney2640]

Love the vibes. You got hardworking people there Peter.

[@neilstoddart00001]

Funny to think I have been following you though books & magazines for the last 30 years! Now your getting around to styling those big trees.great stuff!!

[@TheVitrin]

"No, what the hell, we'll get rid of all of them" :''D thank you for cheering my day up! Great video!

[@verticalmatt]

How did they even make bonsai before chainsaws?

[@olivergolding8927]

@@verticalmatt mostly just trimming and growing from seed, i think alot of these techniques are relatively new since like the 60s when they were combined with bonsai but I might be talking rubbish

[@true3211]

@@olivergolding8927 They used saws.

[@soberhippie]

@@verticalmatt They were one with nature, They trained beavers to cut thick trunks

[@verticalmatt]

@@soberhippie well I might as well need a chainsaw or a team of beavers myself now because I 'salvaged' a very thick ficus bhengal. That went all around a palm tree! Such a challenge I should post pics

[@benjaminrider8958]

Wonderful! I am learning so much by watching you work :)

[@David-bu4ef]

Fascinating stuff! really enjoyed it, thank you Peter...

[@dickgonzales8658]

Thanks Mr Chan That was so interesting Starting to get an ideal what to do Thank You so much for sharing. Big Fan PS 1 vote for the 8 footer

[@andrewt1176]

Thanks for all your videos! Peter could you please do another japan maple video where you run through a variety of different trees further down the life of the tree closer to them becoming finished bonsai. Cheers

[@debradurling317]

Me to id like to see this also my favourite , maple

[@SkylinersYeti]

Such inspiration. I just returned from helping a friend prune a neglected home orchard. Oh I could have done some air layering and made many bonsai fruit trees. Have you made bonsai from your old orchard?

[@an_what]

I’m so happy to have found you on KZbin!

[@zulupink]

Hi Peter i personally would love to see the massive hornbeam stay as one piece and see what could be made of it something that size is very rare most of all watching you develop something that size through the years to come would be priceless knowledge on how to develop something this size

[@simon-qy2xe]

Can you make a video when you dig the tree up

[@patrickparmer1648]

I dont think he will. Its more of a Japanese garden tree than a bonsai. A niwaki, if you will.

[@colevanbalen7205]

@@patrickparmer1648 he said he will in the spring

[@separatereality1747]

@@colevanbalen7205 perfekt!!!

[@maxinla2501]

simon That would be awesome

[@juliepdem5275]

Yes, would “you make a video when you dig the tree up”....please?😉😉

[@KlasicRock]

I just subscribed to your channel ... watching your videos bring me a lot of peace my friend ... thank you for your lessons / teaching

[@bubutocika4219]

When i see videos about bonsai and similar like that, i think u are just happy and adicted to amputation a tree.

[@bobfrancey4527]

hello and thank you for the video about field trees, the question i have is about the root systems of field trees, how do you develop a compact root system sufficient enough to support a tree like the 8' hornbeam you just trimmed, when it has always been in the ground? are there tricks to encouraging a tighter root system than would be present in a field tree.

[@kknetpal1245]

Class video. Loads of experience and expertise poured in

[@PghFlip]

Composted, chipped, burned?!?! Not heeling them in to make cuttings?! Master Chan, you never cease to surprise me!

[@debradurling317]

Wow I enjoy watching this proses I can't wait to see the results

[@Ljusnepope]

Love your videos, looking forward for more field "yamadorisch" videos.

[@davidlariviere3981]

Keep it as one magnificent tree! How uncommon and marvelous it would be.

[@angie3504]

Looking forward to seeing their progress...thanks for your inspiration

[@MidniteSan]

Already have a name for that future beast of a bonsai, let 8 feet tall Goliath be born please Peter. Can't wait to see the next one.. cheers.

[@steampunkvampyre]

Great insight into your thinking and procedure thank you, how long does air layering take?

[@peterchan3100]

6 months at most.

[@steampunkvampyre]

thanks

[@cesarromero5622]

So much information for us to learn, thank you for the videos

[@soberhippie]

It would be interesting to know how this tree is doing now. Did you keep it tall or did you airlayer it in the middle?

[@arthurg1425]

"This is how we make our bonsai." -Mountain of branches burning

[@bdyt]

That's how mine usually end up Moment of silence please 😁

[@verticalmatt]

He is very funny

[@Opceedee]

- whips out a chainsaw

[@hike8181]

Another great video so much useful information thank you for all your time and effort

[@bradjay6982]

Let’s get a revisit!!! Love your videos

[@twcmaker]

I need to understand what an inverse taper is. Ahhh I've got it. More info later in the video. Thank you Peter 🙏

[@darksun4523]

I'm so thankfull I live less that an hours drive from this beautiful nursery.

[@franciscoeme]

Please Create a huge bonsai with this, no air layering on this beautiful unique trunk. Keep us updated! Thank you.Regards from San Diego CA

[@XTheXRizzaX]

So it's spring. Was just wondering when the updated video would be up. Great content. Thanks!

[@patrickschlieker3770]

Here's the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6jYdGarorp1sLc

[@martintijdgat6269]

Dear Peter Chan, Love these instructive video's. But are you talking big risk of massive bleeding when it's starting to sproute in Spring? In Holland we stop cutting in these type of trees in november.

[@peterchan3100]

Hornbeams dont bleed. Japanese Maple do.

[@cheebee2659]

for saw longetivity have a look at the little swiss bahco folding saws, they are VERY good and the edge lasts a LONG time.. thankyou for your vids, i would dearly love to be able to play with nature as you do

[@maverickbonsai]

Excellent video! What a big, gorgeous tree that is. It's -42 Celsius here today so it's nice to watch warm-weather videos like this. ;) Happy New Year to you and your staff!

[@peterchan3100]

Where do you live? - -42C that's too cold for me.

[@maverickbonsai]

@@peterchan3100 It's too cold for me too! I'm in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

[@mjo8585]

I’ve often wondered if bonsai of a larger was possibly. I have a smaller, around 8 ft, willow tree that I planted that’s around 2” in diameter and would really love to bonsai with it. Any tips on that? Love the videos!!

[@roberthannigan4382]

very cool trees. I like it when he climbed up one!

[@roberthannigan4382]

Also it would be a great video to see when you take the tree out of the ground in February.

[@patrickparmer1648]

Hey, peter. Im curious as to how that large maple air layer is doing. Maybe not an entire video on it but, a feature in the next to see how it is doing after cutting it off. Love the videos. Thanks.

[@peterchan3100]

Within a couple of weeks of removing it from the parent tree, lots of new roots have formed. In the Spring I will show the progress of this air layer

[@heshamelmesalmy5950]

Thank you, mr Peter, for this information.

[@joshuavillademoros8278]

Thank you for this video i have not seen this instruction anywhere.

[@scottbrown575]

Wish i could upvote more, amazing content!

[@mdnoormdnoor8346]

Dear, What an idea.... Really good 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@browpetj]

Would be interesting to see some interviews with your staff. Any apprentices?

[@juliepdem5275]

Peter Brown This is a very good suggestion! Particularly after the vote: Peter Chan: (paraphrased) “Let’s take a vote. Shall we leave it one big 8 foot bonsai, or air layer it to make two four foot bonsai?” Staffers: (again paraphrased). “You don’t have to lug it around the garden. We vote two, four foot bonsai.” 😂😂🤪🥰😂😂 I really like how the “human-ness” isn’t edited out of your videos. It makes you, your staff, and what you’re teaching us so much more like who we all are. People, plain and simple people. Edited to correct spelling and punctuation errors.

[@MakeMoreBonsai]

Awesome video!

[@jjj7665]

Hi Peter, What is the best time to carry out air laying, I tried a maple in June of last year with stagnant moss , it had good roots but has now died. Thank you for the video’s the are very informative.

[@peterchan3100]

Watch my KZbin videos on air layering - all the secrets are revealed

[@andreasknogler585]

I hope this year we get an update of the trees and the hornbeams and beeches you collected from a hedge

[@juanartesero1082]

Un interesante trabajo. Gracias por compartir experiencias

[@TheBrewersDroop]

I love the material you produce. I'm going to have to put my name down for that air layering class. Do you have any luck with layering oaks?

[@peterchan3100]

Oaks dont air layer. I have tried but no luck

[@TheBrewersDroop]

@@peterchan3100 that was my suspicion. Thanks for the confirmation.

[@thetaeater]

Omg this is awesome can i just come work for you for free?! Harvesting from the wild is my thing more so than design. Yes please air layer that monster and keep us updated!

[@SadkoLitsky]

Great lesson !

[@247ahmad]

Very nice

[@Amithrius]

Amazing work as always. I've often wondered if I detect a bit of Caribbean in your accent.

[@kreed8091]

Yeeeesssss! Let's keep it tall!

[@seaspoke]

I would love to work at this nursery!

[@peterchan3100]

You can always come and volunteer for a short spell.

[@sandystp9624]

wonderful video. thank you I'd love to have the courage to cut by my field grown Tiger Bark Ficuses.

[@pansepot1490]

This could not come at a better time. I have a pomegranate tree that I have to remove because it has overgrown its place in the garden. I was going to just dig it up and throw it away but now I’ll try to make a big bonsai out of it. The only problem is that it will take two people to move it once it’s in a pot.

[@bonsaigardener7969]

Wow great

[@mesingpertin5619]

Enjoyed the video ! 🙏

[@yopage]

It's amazing how such large trees can be dug and potted. I have a large backhoe digger, so lookout neighborhood, the tree phantom may strike!

[@mejlaification]

My favourite tree surgery videos lately!

[@marafilomenafalavigna2276]

Is it advised to remove the "nods" , consequence of the extraction of the reverse tapers? Or after removing the branches that cause reverse tapers, you should just let it be, and it'll grow properly?

[@westvirginiaglutenfreepepp7006]

I'm no expert but that seems to be a question of taste. From all the bonsai growers I've read and watched, each seems to differ. Some see it as part of the wabisabi of the art form, others see it as detracting from the piece.

[@radrickdavis]

Can you keep it as a niwaki tree? It looks very happy in the native soil. Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing.

[@peterchan3100]

Yes we can keep it as a 'Niwaki' or garden tree but it would be very difficult to keep control as it is extremely vigorous

[@C33Fernandez]

If Peter reads this... as a pseudo-student via KZbin, I have a request: You mention, when describing the process of growing the trunk 3 or 4 feet before chopping it back down, you say that it is to "pull the sap up" - could you please take a half-minute in future videos to explain what these processes mean and what it does to the tree?

[@tstuff]

I have a 12 foot bonsai. OK it was by accident and I'm not really sure it is considered a bonsai but it is because I call it that. When I bought my house there was a tree that looked sad and like it was on its way out. At the base it was tilted and the center had rotted out. It was about 25 feet tall, branches resting on the garage roof and random ones falling on the ground. I didn't want it to damage the garage so I took a pole saw and started cutting it back off the roof. My intention was to cut it to a stump but at at about 12 feet I realized I needed a chainsaw and a ladder to cut up the rest so it wouldn't end up falling into the side of the garage nor the shed on the other side. There was no way to use the poll saw. So the tree went through the winter looking like a light pole without any branches. Early in the spring I still did not have a ladder nor a chainsaw and small branches started growing. I had more important things happening that pole could wait. By fall it has branches about a foot long all around it. The next spring the branches had little white flowers growing all around it. So I left it, again, chainsaw and ladder... by the fall of that year the branches were growing in nicely. Second spring the light pole bonsai was covered in white flowers and leaves. This was the fourth summer and the tree has grown in nicely with branches evenly growing around it. It as not pushed to grow higher, just filling in like a barrel around a pole. So my accidental bonsai has the fight to keep living. I have not gotten up to the branches to direct them in any sort of fashion, maybe I'll just prune them as they start growing out. Keep them nice and neat around the main stump.

[@sidthemyth]

i would love to see a big oak bonsai alleyway

[@ottilove261]

Wow, great video, is there already a video where the tree gets digged out?