Making a birch bonsai forest - So satisfying!

In this video I create a birch bonsai forest using some stunning trees. The final result is better than I imagined and looks very realistic.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Not a bird bath! Wow I'm amazed you had all those trees to fill the pot!!!! This is one forest that will keep you busy pruning!!

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, I think I might need to borrow your blue scissors for this one Nigel!

[@abrdds]

Nigel, will you be working on your pickup in future videos??❤🙃

[@christymartin6281]

I hope Tony's family or friends will keep us updated on how this forest progresses and is maintained. Tony inspired me to try the same project.

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Silver birches are my favorite trees. Your birch forest is gorgeous ❤ I have to create a forest of birches for myself. So pretty and inspiring 🤩 Thanks a lot Tony for sharing yours! 🙋‍♀️ Cheers Martina

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Martina. I love it when I can help to inspire someone to create something. I'm sure your forest will provide you with much enjoyment!

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

Looks great Tony and I love that pot!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Dave. I was a bit unsure about the colour for a composition like this, but I think it's definitely growing on me

[@Darkfire1300]

Wow! More and more sophisticated. Love the apparent randomness - makes your composition look so natural. Good work. We all will love tracking its development. Thanks again for another inspiring video.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. Yes, I couldn't believe how good this looked when it was finished. I'm now looking forward to showing you what it looks like when it first leafs out

[@robertjones7023]

Dang! that is a big pot! Love it!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Robert. It's huge and weighs a ton!

[@greasylimpet3323]

That's beautiful Tony. The random placement looks great, so natural. Can't wait to see it with leaves on!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. Yes, when those leaves first push and are small and bright green, I'm definitely going to include it in a video!

[@mick681]

Great Tony. It will only get better with time. The random placement works really well and looks very natural.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Mick. Yeah given a couple of years, I think it will really start looking good especially once I can start work on the forest floor

[@andrewbeattie5245]

That's a lot of pot and a hell of a lot of trees... wish i had a Chris! 😆 It's going to be pretty impenetrable once the leaves open. Nice.

[@TonysBonsai]

Yeah, I'll leave it for a good while to grow and gain health and come back to the proper pruning later in the year.

[@denhardy7238]

Well done. Tony love it always a great watch

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Den. Glad you enjoyed it mate

[@janeplatt8254]

Wish I had a friend like Chris you lucky thing 😂❤

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣🤣He's a good lad!

[@deineath]

Never too many. Beautiful already. Well done as always, Tony.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you Ali. This was such a fun project to put together!

[@notionbonsai]

Nice big pot! Great job on the planting Tony!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Adam. I'm well chuffed with how this one turned out. It's my favourite group yet.

[@andytownsend9163]

Looks good Tony, and in a posh pot, too ❤👍

[@TonysBonsai]

What can I say. I'm actually very posh, I just hide it well 🤣🤣

[@timfreeman4242]

Cracking looking group Tony! Impressed with how it looks!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Tim. It really did come out nicely this one. I'll take some credit, and give the rest to luck!

[@chrisswales1174]

Wow! Love that pot and the forest planting looks awesome already. Fabulous - well done Tony, can’t wait to see it in full leaf.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Chris. I can't wait to see it in full leaf. It should look pretty good!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

That’s one BIG pot! Only 1:30 in and I’m loving this already.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers buddy. I think this is a pretty good watch is I do say so myself

[@anthonyjames4968]

Hi Tony I love the forest it looks great really looking forward to see it when it leafs out its going to look amazing and the pot you used is fantastic I love the colour I think its a great match for the trees in the forest

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Anthony. I wasn;t too sure about the pot colour, but I think it's growing on me, and it will be interesting to see what it looks like when all the trees are in leaf in a few weeks.

[@christianwalkama1734]

Amazing!! Your best project I’ve seen. Just a wonderful forest grouping!!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Christian. I am really happy with this group. It has such a natural feeling considering it's only just been put together

[@Michael-yt3wz]

Another great video. Thanks for posting.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Michael. Glad you enjoyed it mate

[@ThyWorshipMetal]

I absolutely love silver birch! 😄

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate. Me too. I've always enjoyed photographing them, so a group like this has been something I've wanted for quite a while.

[@GiuseppeParisiArtist]

This is gonna turn fantastic Tony. Awesome aesthetics balance between pot, moss and trees

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you Giuseppe. I am really happy with the overall balance of this composition. It feels just right to me.

[@tacobonsai]

Really great forest. Probably one of my favorite to date as well.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate. I was surprised how well this one turned out. It's going to have a great feeling when it matures

[@Tore1972Wisdom]

That is looking fantastic Tony. No doubt that your channel has become my favorite. You have so many great projects going on and at the same time i´m most likely at the same level with my trees. Therefore it´s much more intersting. None of us can keep up with the trees the bonsai professional has anyway. It´s more fun to follow you and others like you. Keep up the good work.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you for the lovely comment. Much appreciated. I know exact;y what you mean, It is enjoyable seeing the top guys working on huge old ancient trees worth tens of thousands, but as you say, they are generally out of our reach. I'm really looking forward to updating on all these projects over the coming months as they come alive!

[@digitaIgorilla]

I like the composition and that although natural looking the upright nature you were going for formalises it a good bit.

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, I suppose it's always a balance between fully natural and something which is pleasing to look at. Hopefully, I can find that sweet spot.

[@Mr10russ10]

Hats off to you Tony, that's one big forest planting. Ryan Neil would be proud 😁 it's going to look amazing come summer, can't wait to see it all in leaf. As I've said before your design/compositions are really coming on, it's great to watch your development in all things bonsai 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. I definitely feel like my skills and knowledge are improving, and as you say, when this comes into leaf it's going to look quite beautiful I think.

[@brianparnell2256]

That’s going to be terrific in a short space of time.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Brian. Yeah I think this will be looking very realistic in only two or three years

[@kimrichardson8376]

Birch are my absolute fav!! I have a ton of yellow birch on my property and those are my favourite because they have a beautiful golden bark😊 Kim🍁🇨🇦

[@TonysBonsai]

They sound stunning Kim. We don;t get those over here, but I bet they would make for a lovely bonsai.

[@kimrichardson8376]

We’ve had to cut a couple down which we’re over 80 years old. These trees are massive at the base!

[@kimrichardson8376]

Have you ever grown dawn redwood trees from seed?

[@TonysBonsai]

I haven't no, but Xavier sent me a dawn redwood rooted cutting which is outside and seems to be growing well. They seem like quite a difficult tree to work on. Are you a fan?

[@kimrichardson8376]

Yes I am. I’d love to have one for my bonsai but growing from seed is really difficult. I can’t even find anyone who sells seedlings.

[@1969hornet]

Nice! I do the same thing when making forest, I go along with the randomness. You've gotten a new subscriber here 😊

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. Yes wjen we just go with the flow, I find they end up looking better than when we try to force a composition

[@CryptoBonsaiDogs]

Got to say… I’m kinda jealous 😁

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank Tony. I must admit I do feel very lucky to own this one.

[@smokereapergaming3861]

Great job Tony I think in only a view years it will be an amazing forest 😀

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. Yes, I think given a couple of years it will start looking really good.

[@margaretsims4344]

Nice job Tony. I do like a nice forest planting!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Margaret. Me too. They have such a great feeling.

[@damianmaples]

Love a good good forest planting. I agree to just go by instinct with it, Don't overthink it. Great pot ❤

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. Yes I didn't want to end up with it looking man-made. I wanted it to have the real feel of a birch forest and I think it's on it's way

[@raymondplodzien7459]

I love the composition and the pot. Wonderful job Tony!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you Raymond. I'm really happy with how this looks.

[@IMAMPONOROGOBONSAI]

Thank you sharingnya master

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you Imam. Much appreciated!

[@raymondbirds2392]

Great creativity by the lads, enjoyed the video

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Raymond. This was a really fun one to put together!

[@mattbrennan647]

Amazing material to start with Tony. Fantastic composition as well. I’m a huge fan of forests/Penjing. This one certainly has the potential to be a masterpiece. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this in the future. Thanks, keep growing

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Matt. I agree about the material being pretty special. Half the work was done, and it all just seemed to sit together really nicely

[@judlpd]

I think your approach produced something quite spectacular there! I bet you are well pleased. Also bet it weighs a bit?

[@TonysBonsai]

It's a bit heavy Richard, but a fair bit lighter than that huge rock I put the hawthorns on 🤣. I'm really happy with it though. It looks good on the screen, but in real life it has a genuine feeling of a proper birch forest.

[@joegarland4885]

Looking really good Tony it should look like a true forest, some people put two or three trees and call it a Forest I hope they all make it no reason why they shouldn’t, I started making one with a pot around the same size as yours but calling a copse of multi trunk cotoneaster but I think I will take it apart and start again as just don’t like it, the pot has no wire holes so I glued small hooks along the inside so I could link wires through them it seem to have worked well but not happy with the composition. All the best with yours Tony.

[@TonysBonsai]

Sounds like you went for an ambitious project there with cotoneaster. I can imagine they could be quite a difficult tree to put together in a convincing way. I'm sure you're up for the challenge though and if you don't like how it looks now, I agree. better to have another go.

[@joegarland4885]

@@TonysBonsai oh I will have another trust me!!

[@OlufsWaterview]

That group is going to be great in the future!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. I think it is going to look really nice in a few years once I get the branching developed

[@OlufsWaterview]

@@TonysBonsai I love forest groups, they're so interesting.

[@KennetDeBondt]

That´s a lot of trees bro... Nice work!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Kennet. Small forests are great, but you can't beat the impact of quite a few decent-sized trees.

[@shahrafiq2165]

Already looking fantastic can't wait for update regards 🌱

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks, yeah this one will be a fun one to follow.

[@eioclementi1355]

So satisfying! I got to give thus a try at some point...awesome channel mate.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate. You should definitely have a go. Great fun!

[@raymondbirds2392]

Lovely job

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Raymond!

[@stevenclowes7770]

Lovely that Tony.. thanks for having us👍

[@TonysBonsai]

My pleasure Steve. I really enjoyed putting this one together.

[@greenlizardballs]

That is lovely.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. I'm really happy with it

[@MadBruvWD]

That’s some amazing trees there dude, them roots have almost filled the pot already and that’s placed on the pottery base, good luck trimming them in a couple of years 😂😂, but that’s a really nice arrangement indeed, grats

[@TonysBonsai]

Yeah, I'll worry about the roots in a few years. As you say it will be quite a challenge, but I think this would look good a bit higher in the pot.

[@Tinoshke07]

I love forest compositions and this one is a beautiful one (it really looks already quite mature which makes the forest not look like it's just now made) ! You'll have a lot of work though , the upcoming years with getting more branching on each tree, to refine each one and to keep the center of the composition open enough for the light getting in, otherwise you'll get a lot of die back and you said it yourself in the video, birches are already from themselves easy 'die backers'. And you already have so many projects going on ! Soon, you won't need more trees, but more hands and eyes !!! 🖐👁😂 But if you take good care of this forest, it will look fantastic in a few years 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

yes, I will certainly have my work cut out, but I find birch are very easy to prune, and I do expect a bit of dieback inside which would be a very natural process and something I definitely see in birch woodland. My main concern is that a couple of these trees don't make it, but if that happens I'll just replace them next spring.

[@guysolis5843]

Awesome project. Love the giant pot and the composition reminds me a bit of the Sherwood Forest! Great job, always a pleasure to see your creativity!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you Guy. All I need is a small robin hood figurine!

[@guysolis5843]

@Tonys Bonsai Ha! I was actually looking for a figurine that would show ''windswept' like someone caught in a storm or something. If I find something worthy of your attention, I'll send it your way. Have a good week end, friend!

[@kythuatvuonnam1078]

😊OK chào bạn chúc bạn ngày mới vui vẻ 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you

[@kythuatvuonnam1078]

@@TonysBonsai OK bạn nhiều 👍

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

A fantastic compositon and I love the pot - same question as Alex asked??

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks, I seem to remember that it was from ebay.

[@chrisbanner7551]

Looks really good Tone

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Chris!

[@mercamg9312]

gorgeous. well done

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@mercamg9312]

@@TonysBonsai l visited a nursery today and looked for silver birch Tubesock but no help there. l fancy a birch forest like yours but may have to wait for springtime in Melb Aust. Cheers and loved your Natural looking forest.

[@garyfriedrick9941]

Well done, Maestro!

[@brianwitton5061]

Hi tony,looks great already looks a few years old

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Brian. Yeah for such a new group, I'm really happy with how established it looks.

[@StevesBackyardBonsai]

Absolutely fantastic composition Tony. One for the ages. I just love those Silver Birches. What an amazing trunk color. Can’t wait for the first real branch selection and general pruning. Another really good video. What about Tuscany? I think you left us hanging on that one! 😅

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Steve. Yes I think I'll do some pruning in late summer I reckon. As for Tuscany, I'll be updating on that in the next few days in a 'take a look at what's dead' video 🤣🤣

[@StevesBackyardBonsai]

@@TonysBonsai Oh. Dear. I’ll probably feature my Mugo in a similar video at some point, but I still have high hopes.

[@markweaver3497]

Very artistic.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you Mark

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Amazing you got all that in there Tony Gonna keep you busy dude 👍👍👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Andy. Yeah it's surprising what you can get in a pot that size.

[@AlexBraunton]

Forest first! 🌳💚 That pot is wonderful Tony, I love the colour. Where did you get it from? The composition looks great mate. Really nicely placed and positioned 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers. I think it was on ebay last year.

[@santoshsharmavlogs1550]

Good job

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Santosh

[@wandaolausson6289]

It looks really good 👌👍

[@maryweber4176]

Makes sense

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Mary

[@wlmgpab]

Awesome

[@lawrencemcnally3164]

What a bonsai pot Tony 😂

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣🤣It's a beast all right Lawrence!

[@kazochrymowicz3076]

Maybe couple boulders wold be nice to add?

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Kaz. Yes that is definitely an option for the future. Good idea!

[@mhennigan4374]

Nice.

[@damianmaples]

Watch our for the birds 🐦 in 5 minutes all that moss will be tossed off as they search for insects. I got a realistic owl today in the post, hope that works 🦉 don't get me started on pigeons lol

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣🤣I think I'm going to leave a big pile of moss outside as sacrificial material for the birds.

[@keepingitkoi]

That looks really nice that Tony I love silver birches I've wanted a silver birch bonsai for ages but can't find one for love nor money where did you get yours from?

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. My friend got these for me. Perhaps you could order some online and do a trunk chop. Thye really do grow very quickly.

[@keepingitkoi]

@@TonysBonsai I will have to have a look see 😉

[@rambetbonsai6187]

❤❤❤❤❤🙏bonsai🙏🙏🙏 indonesia🇮🇩🙏🙏

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you!

[@abrdds]

Touche’❤

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you!

[@maryweber4176]

just curious, why not put some soil on the bottom of the pot in the beginning? I am just about to do my first forest, larch trees.

[@TonysBonsai]

By the time I fit everything together and lifted the trees a bit etc, they are all sat on around an inch or so of soil. In the past I've found that If I put too much in at the beginning when working with this kind of material, it all ends up getting kind of clogged up with the roots. If I was using just standard material, I definitely would put some soil down first.

[@sharonbuckley4591]

I noticed you didn’t put down a base of soil first.

[@TonysBonsai]

I suppose I should have put down a thin layer first, but I was concerned with the trees being too high in the pot, and after you work the soil down they were probably sat on a good inch

[@briankavanagh7191]

How have your garden birds not taken that moss off?

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Brian. I have a pile of sacrificial moss that they must be using.

[@christymartin6281]

Tony, I love that pot! I've been looking for a smaller one in that color. Where is it from?

[@mattbrennan647]

Miss yo brother.

[@sagebell8884]

What kind of soil are you using Tony? Looks gorgeous!

[@rtregear]

Tony, what's that tape you use to cover the drainage holes? It looks like plasterboard jointing tape?

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Roger. It is indeed. Becasue I used to be a plasterer, I know it as scrim tape. It's perfect for covering drainage holes.

[@rtregear]

@@TonysBonsai Thanks Tony. Another thing to add to the long list of things I've learned from your videos!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you, It's always good to hear that I'm passing on a few tips here and there.

[@danieldalton8125]

You've been hiding that one under your bushel.

[@TonysBonsai]

yeah I was planning to use it for a kojo no mai planting, but now I need to find another pot for that!

[@danieldalton8125]

Well I meant the whole thing, but yes the pot is rather splendid.

[@TonysBonsai]

yes, I like to keep a few ideas and trees secret. I've got a few yet to be seen. The best is probably a really nice thick yew with a great nebari.

[@danieldalton8125]

Look forward to seeing mate.

[@FIZZYYAM]

Subtlety of the bark tones really came out in the shade.

[@TonysBonsai]

Yeas, I agree. I love those almost bronze tones.

[@jbmckean]

Tony i don't mean to sound rude but could you share a link to your plant supply trying to find bare root stock in my area is virtually impossible

[@TonysBonsai]

All my previous bare root trees have either been bought online from places like ebay etc, or from local nurseries (I'm lucky to have several really good commercial nurseries within only a few miles). These trees however were supplied by a close friend of mine who has access to some land.

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

What size is the pot? I have some crepe myrtles I’d like to make a forest with and that looks like a good size

[@TonysBonsai]

This pot is 60cm at its widest and I'm guessing it's something like 8cm deep

[@TonysBonsai]

Ideal for a forest I'd say

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

@@TonysBonsai thank you!

[@houseofintent]

whats the size of that pot?

[@thelazybonsai]

Noice

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate

[@raymondbirds2392]

Any updates on the forrest please Tony

[@bonsaikastur]

Beautiful, but you're going to regret doing it so big when you'd have to move it. Enjoy it meanwhile.😉

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, you're right. think this is one that won't get moved all that often. Probably just for the odd recap video

[@damianmaples]

2man job 😂

[@mattbrennan647]

What is the final count of trees in the forest? Thanks

[@TonysBonsai]

Just been out and counted, and there are 19 trees!

[@mattbrennan647]

@@TonysBonsai Awesome Tony. Good luck. It’s quite special

[@damianmaples]

When a forest group is over the number 9 apparently the eye can't tell if its odd or even numbers. If I do it I just fill the pot and count after 😅