How to Turn ANY Tree into a Bonsai

Hi everyone! Today, I'll show you step-by-step how to transform any nursery tree, yard tree, or abandoned tree into a bonsai. For my demonstration, I have this discarded Coastal Live Oak tree. Using the principles discussed and the techniques shown in this video, you can give any tree a new life!
0:00 Introduction
0:05 Discarded Coastal Live Oak
2:15 Clean the roots
8:39 Trim the branches & leaves
10:32 Find the design
12:00 Remove the bad roots
15:45 Cut the tree to your design
26:00 Analyzing the design
27:00 Choosing a pot
28:16 Summary of techniques
33:15 An afterthought!
Be a part of my bonsai community! You can also find me here:
- / bonsaiheirloom
- / bonsaiheirloom
- / bonsaiheirloom
Exciting news coming soon! Sign up to receive updates at bonsaiheirloom.com.
Questions about your bonsai? Leave a comment below or you can reach out to me at [e-mail]. I'll do my best to help!
#bonsai #plants #gardening #bonsaitree #bonsaitreesforbeginners #plantcare #howto #howtobonsai #gardeningtips #tutorial #tipsforbeginners #bonsaitechniques #oaktree #bonsaiforbeginners #bonsaitreecare #bonsaitreemaking #bonsaigarden #bonsaiheirloom #bonsaiplant #bonsaicollection #miltonchang #tech #engineering #entrepreneur #bonsaimaster

[@lauramissy7492]

I have so many oak trees. It never even occurred to me to make one into a bonsai. Now I have to go out and find a good one. 😊

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Go for it!

[@cweeks5211]

I've always loved Bonsai trees. This gave me the motivation to try this.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

You can do it!

[@goodwill_hunting]

When I started bonsai, I would have looked at this and thought it was a no go and wouldn't have given it a second thought but even in the short time, I've watched you do your magic and now I'm looking at everything as having potential or not. Thanks for taking the time to show us your work and imparting that wisdom to us.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Glad I could help!

[@johnnylyon3958]

I love watching your videos! They really help me on my journey on Bonsai. Not a lot of people here in Indiana do Bonsai, so I look to you and a few others on youtube for guidance. Please keep cultivating this online community! It really helps me and many others.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for the support and encouragement! This is why I want to build this online community...so we can all learn from and inspire each other. Best wishes to you and your bonsai!

[@DeciduousSnurb]

Hey, fellow Indiana bonsai grower here. Well I'm from Cincinnati but live just over the border now in IN. Hopefully more Hoosiers get into bonsai.

[@johnnylyon3958]

@@DeciduousSnurb hey! I’m actually considering moving to Cincinnati! Love it there

[@joshholschuh1847]

America sucks

[@garyjohnson2989]

Yo guys! I live in KY! Richmond and work in Lexington. Doing bonsai 10yrs

[@scottfreeman5075]

Your videos and being able to look over your shoulder to absorb a little of your skill, has motivated me to give Bonsai a try. The holdback for me has been the time frames involved. I’m 81 yrs old so I probably won’t have the time left to see a whole lot of progress. But, it struck me today that I can involve my 9yr old Grandson to do this with me. He already loves working with me in the garden and with small landscaping projects around the house. He is going to be my link to longevity. Thanks in advance for all the help you will give us along the way, and especially thank you for the motivation to begin this adventure.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Wishing you the best luck on your journey with your grandson.

[@DH-yj7bx]

Milton when you put that in the pot it was such a change! Insane how a bit of work with a big old piece that’s not been touched before could easily become great

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Yes, each tree has potential!

[@honeybees1970]

This really shows the benefit of using older material instead of saplings

[@jasonbollman]

Thank you for the instruction. Off to a beautiful start. 🌳

[@3did-oy7ec]

What a nice change from the thicket to the beginning of bonsai. If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it. I don't know if I will ever be able to do it myself. But even if not, I enjoy watching your tree design.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

You can do it! Follow my techniques and please comment if you have any questions. I'll do my best to help!

[@greasylimpet3323]

That was an amazing transformation. It looks much nicer now, specially when you explain why you cut out or left certain parts of it. It will be great to see your six monthly updates!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Yes, I'm excited to update you on this tree!

[@kennyyardman813]

I have watched all of your previous videos, and I think this is the best one you have made. I liked that you showed that equipment failures can not deter you from achieving your goal.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Wow, thank you for the wonderful compliment! I hope to keep improving my videos for you all!

[@guyricks788]

Bless to u mate , your very easy to follow, I'm just starting out thank u🙏🙏🙏

[@dracokaiser]

Old oak root cuttings make interesting bonsai.

[@lauratejeda8188]

Really enjoy learning from you!

[@SinisterTop1]

Thank you for you knowledge

[@janelbiang1733]

This is incredible… looking foreward to watching this grow for the next several years!! Thank you!

[@TeBiDoWil]

This is my absolute favorite channel to watch on KZbin. It seems whenever I’m wanting to know a particular thing, Milton always addresses it shortly after. He goes to the level of depth that you really need to understand bonsai and is super easy to listen to.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you're enjoying my content and bonsai!

[@hernandotorres1234]

Fascinating

[@grantmurray2480]

What a great video. Thank you for sharing your skills

[@steelmouth83]

looks amazing

[@TheStickGarden]

I love how you take crazy trees and tame them right in front of my eyes. I've been wanting to see and oak bonsai really bad. I'd also like to see some sort of willow bonsai! Thank you for what you do!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for the support and your kind words! I appreciate it!

[@lauramissy7492]

It's like magic!!

[@davidmorrill2943]

I really appreciate you telling us your thought processes for each step. Thank you

[@juliedostie3373]

Thank you for sharing. Beautiful!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thanks for watching!

[@Hefjwnyentils]

My favourite bonsai practitioner on KZbin, continue to inspire. ❤

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you! I'm glad you find my videos helpful!

[@ChristianBax]

this was great!

[@KIWISMAMA]

Beautiful, thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for watching!

[@JCRubicoOfficial_09]

Very nice and informative content. Love it!❤

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your support!

[@user-ip7cd5ym3e]

Just found your channel. I am glad I did! Great video!

[@lindac446]

Oh my .. what a GIFT this video is to novices! Thank you.

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

Excellent video!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Glad you liked it!

[@victorarnobit-fl1ex]

Thank you bonsai master. I appreciate your wisdom and your videos are a great resource for beginners like myself. Very inspiring!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thanks for watching! Happy to have you as a part of this bonsai community!

[@Rjmr19]

What a beautiful work you have done. Thank you for sharing.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you very much!

[@donettarodriguez3840]

I love this video. Gives a much better understanding of bonsai trees. Thank you so much!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

I'm so happy to hear that! Best of luck to you and your bonsai!

[@VondaInWonderland]

Beautiful 🕊️

[@user-rj5ob9tf6u]

Beautiful tree, seems even more massive after pruning

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you!

[@jasonpoliarco7315]

Absolutely love how it turned out.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thanks!

[@suzannepoffel2160]

Starting of so beautiful ❤

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you! There's potential in this tree!

[@Altheodi]

Thanks for your video. It was a pleasure to watch

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@austinvickymoore3656]

Just did this with a sappling i found doing yard work this morning! Cut back the tap root to get it into a pot to help build radial roots, left a sacrificial branch or 2 to help build out the trunk some and will be getting it cut back tomorrow to see how it is going to start to be shaped for the next few years to come!! I can't wait!! I greatly appreciate your videos and look forward to an update on this oak!!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Great job! Please keep us updated on your progress!

[@ecoinabase]

I am very much enjoying whole of your video. First time saw a detailed bonsai processes, how to make it by naturally concept. Awesome experience to me and be more curious to trying easy one. Great job

[@mrpatchy9950]

Thanks a lot for the fine instructional video I will definitely follow the progress of the tree . Thanks a lot for emphasising and showing the finer points of working on the roots and the different views of the tree , I have definitely learnt a lot from this video.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

I'm glad to hear that! Thanks for watching! Best of luck to your bonsai :)

[@belindaferrellkornegay6345]

Beautiful work

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you very much! Thanks for watching!

[@SecondComingTwice]

Thank you for the demonstration, explanation. I'm unsure if I'm ready to commit to a project like this since I hate to leave things unfinished, but I feel as though I've learned quite a lot. I agree that this tree will grow into a beautiful piece of art in your capable hands.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you! You can treat this project as your own too. I want you guys to think of my trees as your trees too. That's why I plan to give you all progress updates on my bonsai and my projects :)

[@theonlypinky]

Loved your vision and instructions! Very interesting.....looking forward to seeing it grow!

[@niccat7051]

Excellent demonstration, I am learning so much!!!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Great to hear!

[@nickl5964]

So much information. Second time I have watched this video. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thanks for coming back to my videos!

[@seankellyhimself5877]

Amazing

[@reeserlori6339]

Very beautiful sir

[@robertyoung7595]

Awesome work. I love your attention to detail 👊🏽

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Much appreciated! Thank you for watching!

[@freedomstar-journey]

You are a great teacher. Gratitude and respect to you. ♡☆

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for the support!

[@lindalehnert9227]

Beautiful

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you!

[@gregwade32]

Keep doing these videos! 👍

[@MisAlizana]

I absoulty love this!! I subscribed and am so looking forward to the next development!!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

I will do progress updates on all my tress every several months!

[@calstyleee]

I love your videos thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for watching!

[@debbiefine2756]

Great job explaining how to start a large garden tree making it into the start of a bonsai.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertawestbrooks9531]

🎉what a great job, so awesome, so beautifully done. Thanks a million ❤

[@bonsaiheirloom]

thank you for your kind words!

[@skipun]

Hi Milton, It would be great to see some videos of you dealing with flowering and fruiting species. Keep up the good work!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Stay tuned! Will do! I love flowering and fruiting trees. By the way, the flowering quince bonsai I did a video on blooms almost 5 months out of a year.

[@engraciabailey3478]

I’m a bonsai newly, but now I’m ready for serious fun work with bonsai!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Congrats on starting bonsai! I hope you'll find that it's a very fun and fulfilling hobby. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them and I will do my best to help!

[@maggiolivier9855]

What a lovely transformation! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. I make concrete bonsai pots and learning about the process of choosing a suitable pot has given me insight as to what features are important to include when designing pots.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you so much for watching! Stay tuned for more videos!

[@cindymullen665]

Wonderful video! You're a great teacher. I'm just starting out and am beyond excited to get started. I acquired an Osage orange tree sapling and am looking forward to checking out your other videos to see how I need to start it (a sapling). The Osage tree is unusual since it is a very hard wood, but grows very quickly (3 feet a year). Of course I need to look first, but if you've never done an Osage, I would love to see you form it into a bonsai tree if you're interested. I haven't found much online about this particular tree. I'm so thrilled to find your videos!

[@MrMackanno]

I've learned a lot from this video than many other, thanks!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@vinnyshrewsbury922]

Thank you so much for your videos! They are very informative and help me to have a deeper understanding if bonsai. Blessings! Watching from Hawaii.😎👍🤙❤

[@bonsaiheirloom]

I'm happy to hear that! Best wishes with your bonsai!

[@phillipwaterman5721]

Nice video nice shape tree thanks Milton keep up the good work mate thanks

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for the support, Phillip!

[@bryanmorrion9503]

Your channel grows so fast. Your wisdom practical information and you seem to talk to your audience not just general comments. Love watching and learning 👍👍👏👏

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for the kind words! I want us to be able to communicate freely, so I always welcome your comments, feedback, and bonsai progress updates!

[@briankavanagh7191]

Milton you will have to revisit this tree next year.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

I definitely will keep you updated on this tree!

[@SheriLynNut]

What a wonderful tutorial; you are a masterful teacher (and artist).

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you! 😊

[@Noni_Ferani]

Tutorial keren...👍

[@tikizone2535]

Wow wow wow 😮😮😮

[@Fishn69]

Love your work.. I am going to give this a try. Thank you for inspiring….

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Have fun!

[@universalbeing1289]

Thanks!

[@leocaquatics811]

I’m so glad to have found your channel. Thank you for sharing your skills you have just got a new subscriber😊

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Welcome!

[@ayehodgy5675]

i have been looking at bonsai tools and what each tool does it would be amazing to see a video about tools and your experience behind them

[@bonsaiheirloom]

You can see I use very basic tools. You can pick that up over time watching my video. It will become obvious. Bonsai tools tend to be expensive simply by adding the word bonsai…whatever mechanical tools that can get the job done. Be practical, just do it! And if you are a “perfectionist” go to a woodworking shop or take a woodworking class. There are specialized tools for everything. And, please…come back and teach me how to use them ;-)

[@ralphlindy]

Fantastic insights. I have a yard full of wild elm trees that I am going to start working with this spring. Now I have a better idea of how to do it. Thanks!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Best of luck! Please share your progress with us!

[@Angie-ci1lp]

Amazing!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you! Stay tuned for more videos!

[@davidkish9829]

I'm really enjoying your bonsai demos, tips, and advice. I am a beginner. When I lived in Phoenix I went to the Bonsai Clubs show every year. I. Now a senior and want to start enjoying bonsai on my patio in New Mexico USA. I see your store is not open yet, but hoping it will be affordable to me. I totally trust buying from you due to your years of experience and informative demo videos. I watch one or two a day since discovering you last week. Do you have an estimated opening date? Have a pleasant and creative weekend. Sincerely, David Kish from the Artist Community of Carrizozo New Mexico USA

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for your support and interest! My team and I are working on opening pre-orders around July. Then, we will ship out the trees in the September-November timeframe. If you haven't already, please sign up for email updates at bonsaiheirloom.com so you can be the first to know!

[@justingaglio4194]

These are great videos I learn soo much its awesome

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Glad you like them!

[@ancientoak]

Very nice plant and excellent demonstration. With the right work and the right technique, any plant can acquire value and become beautiful

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Yes, exactly! You can turn any nursery tree or garden tree into a beautiful bonsai with the right techniques!

[@ancientoak]

@@bonsaiheirloom So good!!!

[@paulhaynes3688]

Thank you fascinated

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for watching!

[@robertgray4290]

I’m really enjoying your videos! And happy to see I’m not the only one who’s used an electric saw on thick roots haha!

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Yes, it's great for cutting off stubborn roots!

[@mahendrapatel1660]

👍Very nice Sir🙏

[@dreamalamb4259]

Soooo glad I don't have to begin with a seedling!! Indiana here.

[@joegarland4885]

Breaking a branch happens to all of us more often than we care to mention as long as the branch is not completely parted from the tree there is a good chance it will be ok in some cases I have glued the branch back with super glue and it has worked ever time. The finished look of your Juniper will be fantastic with all that natural deadwood on show. Once again thank you for sharing your work with us worts and all.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thanks so much for watching and supporting, Joe!

[@augustbutler9096]

Damn good show!

[@cliffmcmann3058]

Thank you so much for your patient instruction. I'm early in my journey to produce a new Heirloom Bonsai. At some point, I would love to see examples of the traditional styles you reference to better understand your design decisions. I recently dug a "Yardori" English boxwood from our garden and am in the process of killing my first shrub... Wish me good fortune.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Wishing you the very best on your journey. Thanks for watching!

[@proMetronics]

Thank you so much for your creative and informative videos!! I love your decisive culture of creating a design, which you present in the videos. I see the excellent combination of experience you utilize to get to a result faster. This is of course also combined with the basics of nurture, which is offered if one has a garden or open space to grow up plants. I am living indoor in a city appartment, thus having restrained myself to indoor bonsai. So far i have only put trust in ficus, because it is a sure bet. From what i learned is, that ficus is not really growing small leaves. So the illusion is more difficult to create. I would love to see some video about starting an indoor bonsai in the same radical way, you present with older seedlings picked from the garden. Which of the species, would be available as older tree seedlings and surive indoor? I have researched chinese elm or Crassula. Thank you so much, if you could create a video for indoor advocates.

[@WilliePanther-su6dy]

I appreciate the reciprocal saw move on the root system of thee Oak Tree. I live in Quapaw, Ok or NorthEastern Oklahoma. Lot's of Oak Trees! Here lately I've been trying to buy bigger container's, more soil content, even buying outside trees for bonsai pleasure! Thank you for continuing your future videos on this particular Oak Tree for future growth reviews! Posted: SA093023 @ 5:10A.M.

[@colleenrobinson8372]

Thank you 🙏

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Any time! Thanks for watching!

[@TentsUp]

Hi , I just fell up on your channel. I watched a documentary called trees. There was a guy that did bonsai on there. I became intrigued. I feel like you have such a soft soul and help me understand more about bonsai. I hope I can maybe one day do the same. This summer I will start my first bonsai. This is all because you have helped me understand so much. I still have problems with the vision but like you said it’s my vision. Thank you.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for such a kind message. I'm very excited for you to start your first bonsai. It's a wonderful hobby that has brought me a lot of peace and fulfillment. I hope that it will do the same for you. If you have any questions about bonsai, please feel free to ask!

[@jerryzhang8414]

It’s great🎉

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you!

[@jerryzhang8414]

Appreciated your demo

[@TwilightBirthsTheDawn]

So you can dig any plants you like. Good Idea.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Yes, that's the great thing about growing plants in your own yard. You can let them grow and just dig them up when you're ready to work on them.

[@TwilightBirthsTheDawn]

My garden is located on a hillside. The pre- owner planted many plants, so there are enough old materials. However, it is really difficult to dig out most of them. Do you have any suggestions?@@bonsaiheirloom

[@michaelmartin5177]

Thank you for doing this episode and this channel. I just found it. I haven’t tried any bonsai yet but have been thinking about starting. Do you have any on starting from seedlings? I’ll search the videos on your channel.

[@roostarstuios]

I hope I see this tree in the future for the next steps

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Yes! I will do an progress update on this tree. Please stay tuned!

[@pamelaseina5657]

how about a black walnut. I have a 6 year old wisteria I thought they were a tree. so after watching some of your videos I went out and cut it up and it's so cool now. Thank you for your videos. im starting a trumpet vine, oak tree. thinking of a cedar and a walnut.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

All the trees you mentioned is fine…walnut has pretty large leaves…so it is more appropriate for a big bonsai.

[@WanderingBobAK]

To an untrained eye, most would not understand what you see ... in the least. But, it will be a fun to watch the design become a bonsai.

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Yes, I will do progress updates on my trees so you can see its journey to becoming a bonsai. Please subscribe and stay tuned!

[@dianedelello2447]

I love your videos, Thank you

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you! Stay tuned for more videos!

[@dianedelello5906]

Thank you. I will

[@jasrangrangsa304]

Nice watch

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thanks for watching!

[@alitabarzadi3137]

Hi. Thank you for your good and interesting channel. How long is need to turn a normal tree or branch to a little bonsai or pre-nonsai? Thanks

[@pausebutneverstop1690]

I love watching your videos Two questions you had repotted it in summer: which is preferred in summer or winter ?? and if I need to do the same for Blue Star Juniper I repot and prune in summer or winter ?? Thanks

[@theexalted856]

Hi Milton, Love your videos! I'm looking at making your soil mix and peat is hard to get ahold of in the UK, would you say coco coir is a good substitute? Or what alternatives would you recommend?

[@MiltonChang]

Yes!

[@giulianapazziniyamadoriita8527]

Ottimo video... Meraviglioso

[@bonsaiheirloom]

Thank you for watching!