Making a Forest Group

I am often asked if it’s possible to make a forest using different species. In this video I experiment with creating a forest with three different species a Japanese Maple, Oak and Hornbeam. I encourage experimenting in your bonsai journey to see what works. I always say, if you don’t try you don’t know.
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[@billyckjelson]

One of the greatest things you’ve done as an artist, Peter, is that you’re a huge advocate for using what is available and affordable. By doing so you’ve brought your art form to so many more people. Thank you for sharing your expertise, experience and sense of fun with your followers! Hope this finds you well. Looking forward to the next video!

[@jonnecleef5548]

Very well said. (:

[@alisterwest6987]

Definitely agree

[@danrudolph4604]

Well said!! I just found him a few days ago and have been binge watching. I'm so grateful for him.

[@895claudia]

I love it how you got carried away with creating a mixed forest. 😀

[@kimrichardson8376]

I’ve started bonsai because of you and your absolute enjoyment and enthusiasm for the hobby. Thank you Peter

[@UnfilteredThoughts]

I've been studying bonsai on my own for 3 or 4 years now. Started all my trees from seed for money reasons and to make sure I can keep those alive long term before biting the bullet on purchasing some bonsai nursery stock. Shortly after starting I discovered your videos and I've been hooked ever since. I was especially excited to find your books at my local library. Bonsai helped me out of a dark time in my life and learning of your humble beginnings gives me hope for my future in bonsai. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[@peterchan3100]

Keep it up Brandon and good luck.

[@UnfilteredThoughts]

@@peterchan3100 thank you Peter, I hope to visit the nursery some day willing this Corona clears up.

[@viksa78]

Peter, you make my Sunday morning beautiful with yours video. i enjoy your passionate to the work. thanks for sharing your great knowledge.

[@almac2598]

I use plasterboard corner tape for mesh. Its a fibreglass self adhesive mesh about 2 inches wide on a roll. Cuts with scissors easily. About £3.50 for a 90m roll. Thanks for the video Peter.

[@alisterwest6987]

I have a roll of that left by a guy that plastered a room for us what a good idea never thought of using it save a few Bob thanks for that one 👍

[@Munson338]

Enjoy all you do! Never boring, never too long! The forests are lovely.You are simply the best!! Thanks for being there for us.

[@rg86er]

Peter, I would appreciate a short tutorial on how to trim, maintain, and repot a more established forrest group. I am mainly wondering how to deal with vigorous growth of foliage and the roots once they have meshed together. I am hoping to come visit you and participate in a class at your nursery someday. I'd like to echo the other sentiments of gratitude for the effort you go through to share your knowledge and philosophies so freely. The thing I like about bonsai the most, is that it makes me more aware and appreciative of the trees I see in everyday life. Many blessings, peace, and love to you. - Richard Garrett (Nashville, TN)

[@edwardsalinas6709]

I have several forest groups, what I do is remove the forest from the pot,remove as much soil as possible, trim the roots one inch smaller than the pot, reinstall,put new soil back and use chopsticks to work the soil back in and water,I do this only in early spring. Works well for me.

[@Ajiizleee]

The everyday appreciation for trees is my favorite part of bonsai as well. All I look at when I'm out is trees, therefore I am always at peace.

[@CQCMachine]

You are such a wealth of knowledge! Between watching your videos, and reading your books, I've learned a ton! Thank you!

[@HootMaRoot]

It's great to hear I amnt the only one that used mesh bags to cover the holes in the bottom of pots. But I love to recycle and reuse as much as possible

[@davidadams7459]

My favorite Master to watch. I love how you handle these tree's. To a beginner it seems you're rudely handling the tree's. And truly you take away all fears for a beginner.

[@angie3504]

I would love to see this mixed forest group progress. Very interesting video Peter.

[@catsunderfoot]

Thank you Peter for your inspiration. I love how you foster experimentation with what is available. I look at trees around me differently now and collect seedlings that may be weeded out. You are a regular companion on weekends and days off here in Michigan!

[@davidclark5723]

Classically right or wrong I think mixing the trees is great. Much like a natural forest and because of the mixture I imagine it will be magnificent in the autumn. Thanks

[@elvirahughes9774]

HELLO PETER , YOUR THE BEST ARTIST .

[@MidniteSan]

Going to try the multi species forest for sure with what i have..thx for sharing and inspiring Peter, can't wait to see the update on those groups too. Stay safe to all and cheers..

[@MinhNguyen-mo5fp]

I always enjoy watching you put all different trees together ..so relaxing 😌 thank you ☺️ 🙏🏻

[@zackau9807]

I like the idea of a mixed forest, cuz it reminds me of what I see along the roads, and in the forests, where I live. There are some professionals that do them. I love that you're not afraid to experiment :)

[@PlantCraftDIY]

Peter .. greetings to you, your bonsai grouping work is truly extraordinary 😍We will look at at least the next 5-10 years. I hope you always healthy, Peter ...❤️

[@rachelwebber3605]

I absolutely love the fact that you experimented with this! Before grad school, I worked a lot in the temperate rainforests of the west coast of the US. Certain tree combinations remind me very strongly of various niches that I've traveled through, and that's something that I've always dreamed about creating in a landscape. Whenever I get back home again, I'm going to set about recreating the spirits of those images that are burned into my memory.

[@rhonasimpson2988]

Perfect Sunday with Peter. Very instructive. Thank you. I must remember to gather some beech mast, acorns and maple seeds soon before the squirrels, for future projects.

[@cor3944]

I like experiments. You are for me the best teacher, Peter, to get into Bonsai with an affordable approach. It’s about the spirit, the laws and the art what matters. 🙏🌹

[@danrudolph4604]

You are a world treasure Mr. Chan. Thank you soooo much for sharing your art, wisdom, and passion with us. You have blessed us beyond what you could ever know. Thank you!!

[@nikkiscotland8860]

Looking through your videos I now know what to do with my over the top buying trees can't wait

[@annierampersad3982]

This was truly educational Peter.I love the forest groups that you did and will see what plants I can use instead of the ficus.👍

[@jeffhurst4744]

Your approach and always describing your thoughts in the making, forming, tending, and addressing problems are an inspiration to novices - experienced bonsai enthusiasts. It “is very much” appreciated. You and others help all levels of experience in this fantastic artistic hobby we enjoy. Thank you !

[@danutashayler34]

Boy, oh boy, Mr Chan; your wild tonight. And your not worried that you won't have enough room for soil?? Its pretty creative. I will look for the progress of eleven trees? The second flat pot for eighteen is fascinating. And I believe it will look quite beautiful. I feel inspired. As usual you are never boring and thanks for your consideration of us watching with the camera and explanatios. Danuta from the Fraser Valley in BC.

[@guyjohnson7683]

Hi there very nice forest I enjoyed watching always and learning of all deferent types of trees an groups and landscape thank you so much for all you do with them. And GOD bless

[@russelldooley6262]

Love this guy

[@kavitasingh6791]

Beautiful.The way you are working is marvelous.I

[@greenlizardballs]

You create just the most amazing little forests. Love watching you work. Almost feels as though there are newts and lizards and other life living among the ground cover. Then there is the lush foliage. Just sublime. If I were able to make a video request, I would request an autumn forest group video to see some stunning fall colors. 😍

[@markusengel5008]

Moin, Thank you for this "spectacular" video, breaking all the rules :-) My way of thinking is, if you ( if I' am) satisfied with the result, it is fine! If we all follow the "rules" nothing new will evolve, with that in mind, please show us more of your gorgues Videos and your way of making BONSAI!! THANK YOU!! It is always a good idea to recycle and find ways not to pollute the enviroment, by the way, I started to use the Flies-net that was not use because the windows where smaler than the netting included in the package :-) Today I stumbled over a Berberis and I decided to make a raft out of it (next Spring),. It will be a lot of work to be ahead with all the vigorous growth......

[@kimrichardson8376]

Absolutely beautiful!!

[@nailbendert4569]

I love the mixed forest! Very anxious to see it in the fall next year with the different colors. Thank you sooo much for trying

[@silverseto1158]

Me as well, would love to see how it goes.

[@fredygump5578]

I see how you saved the "stow-away" tree! Truly nothing is wasted.

[@lucian.x]

Always nice to have your mind trained on something enjoyable, and something you can learn knowledge, and interest from within the projects at hand!

[@briankavanagh7191]

Looking forward to the past projects review. The last forest looked so natural👍

[@lucyb15]

I love the bonsai forest as much as the full scale forest. It's the best bonsai in my mind....thank-you for making it look easy.

[@B60forever]

@19:29 I am yelling YES that's it!!! I love when I say yes that one and you choose it. Love your videos

[@koiagidesigns9701]

I found your channel because i got a seed kit for christmas from my son. Think i need a young tree i can nurture and train.

[@matthewwyjad]

I really like mixed forests, at least in real life. The Evergreens really set off the colors of deciduous trees in the fall by contrast. One of my all-time favorite color palettes is in late fall when the hillside are mostly a purple Gray from the denuded trees, except for patches of Green from the Evergreens and bright balls of yellow from all the poplars which always turn late. The purple gray green and yellow look absolutely fantastic together.

[@hollybajay]

Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge! It's so inspiring and helpful for beginners to get their feet wet :)

[@elaineharris156]

I think you have something with the mixed deciduous forest. As you say, bonsai shapes and styles come from observing nature plus the artistry. I imagine then a grouping of trees like those of the eastern hardwoods of the Northeast US. Those forests are spectacular especially in the fall as the leaves turn color in such a fabulous way. Imagine a sampling of this trees in a pot.

[@joegarland4885]

As always Peter you make bonsai fun, I watch your videos whilst I am taking my exercise bike ride . Thank you Peter.

[@yahyak9f456]

Yesterday I made my others group of Pulai (Alstonia scholaris) and Tabebuya (Handroanthus chrysotrichus). Really enjoy for weekend project, TQ for keep inspiring me Mr Chan

[@LounoirRecords]

just recently made a copper beech (that stays red all year) and white birch forest, it looks pretty fancy. i basically just did it out of boredom and as an experiment - every forest has to be 1 species, etc. just seems a bit lame, really :) i'll try some other variations next year and see what looks cool and grows at about the same rate

[@prashantmohite9638]

It is always interesting when you make forest group thanks for such a informative video

[@misty4782]

Hello. I'm new to your channel and am captivated by your skills and mannerisms. I have a question: when pruning the top off of the tree, does this not encourage the tree to fork? Thank you and blessings.

[@carloscruz6536]

Thanks Peter I think in a bigger pot it can be make some sub divisions of groups by species and then put some spares trees across the groups 👍👍🇵🇷

[@lory6605]

Thank you for reusing containers, soil, wires etc.

[@joekerr5152]

I’m sure other viewers would agree with me that we would love to see you make a video about jade bonsai. I think I’ve seen some jades on your nursery and it’d probably be something nice to work on as the months begin to get colder. You could work on one of them in the winter

[@patricks9682]

You created beautyful Forest compositions ...great.... Also the experimental group including several mapeltrees a.s.o.👍👍👍

[@LEAMETAL666]

You are amazing Peter, Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@br324rf]

I just made my own forest coincidentally! I used the netting from my orange bag. 🤙🏽

[@Floydsdad101]

Hi, I’ve just subscribed to your channel, I’m finding the videos so informative and easy to watch. I wonder if I could ask a question. I planted an oak tree in a memorial forest when my father died 13 years ago. It’s quite a long drive from home, and I was wondering if you might suggest, or even better do a video on how to grow a bonsai oak from a cutting from an established oak. Many thanks.

[@askgbk]

Tried and tried to make cuttings did not take, have you tried harvesting a little oak tree growing around the base of the mother tree ? It’s beneficial to harvest them, they won’t grow like regular trees due to the restrictions on growth such as sunlight and nutrients along with wildlife. they will remain dwarfed and will grow contorted naturally

[@edvickers667]

ENJOYED OUT OF THE NORM. TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS I THINK IS GOOD AS WELL. GREAT SHOW PETER THANKS.

[@brianmooney5552]

I like the multiple species forest grouping. After all, most natural forests are not monotonous in regards to the species.

[@death057]

I wish you could have seen through the camera what that red maple look like in front and in the middle of all that green it actually contrasted beautifully and since they are complementary colors it made it pop it was like all the green trees were backup dancers to the red tree being the star

[@PatriciaAnnGriggs]

The second one is so cute also❤❤❤❤I Love everything you do

[@joaniereyes9156]

😍Love this 🥰one always wanted to ask about this. I think I might try 🤗 Thankyou can't wait to see the update on the multi tree group

[@mikeswain9085]

It's good to see that there's not only me that doesn't have enough hands when trying to put a forest grouping together. If Mr Chan struggles what hope have I got?

[@williamibay3128]

Hi! Im from Philippines, Thank you very much for sharing your expertise.

[@bonsaitherapy1468]

Call me crazy but that red maple in the middle would look grand

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

Wow, I think it looks great! I wonder if one way of combining two or more species would be to use one species of the canopy and one for the understory? Might be a cool effect...

[@sc00badive]

I just saw this video, is there another showing how this mixed forest group is doing? I love your videos. I'm just getting started with bonsai.

[@For_Cruyff_Sake]

Has there been an attempt at pruning or working on jade tree?

[@PatriciaAnnGriggs]

So so cute

[@yogeshlimboo2455]

Glad to see your again sir. Every time I enjoyed the VIDEO. N learned very much. Stay safe sir .

[@johnseevans6219]

I love it!!! Would love to visit some day.

[@charlesfalagib]

Hello peter, thank you for another wonderful video, I was wondering have you ever tried to make a grapevine bonsai? Enjoy your day. Thanks for your inspiration. I decided to try and make fig bonsai, thanks to you, as I have them growing wild near to where I live.

[@alancunningham4274]

how can you not admire and respect him,

[@yogideshmukh]

Very beautiful group... Peter please consider explaining Platycladus orientalis (Chinese Arborvitae) as a bonsai material

[@mikec3820]

walked up the mountian near our house the other day with my daughter. saw a few really nice royal oak and eastern hornbeam trees.also i took a willow cutting and i pulled up a fern to use as kusomono(i think thats how its spelled lulz) also alwaysapleasure to watch you work peter

[@nicholas9875]

Another great video! Can you make some videos with Jades (any type)?

[@whitetrashacres6283]

Dear Peter. Thank you for all your efforts and knowledge presented with each of your videos. When you posted the new T shirts now available..i ordered one. It arrived in the mail and I REALLY love it Really quality item. Soft cotton. I got the long sleeve one with the large heron bonsai logo. It's great. Thank you again. P.S. I am growing a mimosa from seed and it's already almost 18 inches tall. I wonder if you may someday do a video about creating a bonsai from the mimosa tree. Thanks. Mary from Brooklyn. NY

[@TimeisNeutral]

Wow!

[@j.d.8075]

So pretty.

[@PatriciaAnnGriggs]

I just Love Love Love your little forest. Sincerely Patricia Ann Griggs

[@jimryan8240]

Is there an update on how this forest turned out? I live in Pennsylvania, U.S., and we have mixed forests. Mostly deciduous, with peppering of conifers. I wanted to make a forest group that replicated a "Penn's Woods" mountain scene, so seeing this video was very helpful. It lets me know it's possible, even if there are some issues to consider in tree selection. Thank you.

[@C.S.M.Hageroth]

Hello Peter, try hanving some salt licking blocks for the squirrels, maybe they will keep off the bark.

[@G-boi]

I think it would be better to use differend variaties of hornbeams like, european, korean, american and japanese.

[@greenlizardballs]

No way lol. I think a homogeneous forest is the only appropriate way to do it on a small scale. If I were to use a mix, I would research specific forests to see which trees coexist and imitate that on a scale of up to 20 feet in length at minimum and I would arrange the trees accordingly.

[@BeeBait]

Peter, thank you again for an informative and helpful video yet again! I know this is very off topic, but have you ever heard of people displaying bonsai as necklace? I recently ran into a group of young ladies wearing succulents and air plants in tiny planters around their necks and got to thinking... If everything was properly held together, it wouldn't be impossible, if very unorthodox...

[@peterchan3100]

No - that's new to me!

[@BeeBait]

@@peterchan3100 it is 2:40am and I am making a twine wrapping around a small pot. I'll probably post a video once it's done.

[@ingeborg-anne]

5:39 Perfect recreation of what it looks like when a potential employer looks at my application. "NEH!"

[@UnfilteredThoughts]

I was born on August 8th weighing 8 pounds 8 ounces. 8 has always been my lucky number and I sometimes wonder what the Chinese would think of that.

[@peterchan3100]

YOU are extremely lucky.

[@rheinrich_art]

Mr. Chan, depending on how your greenhouse is set up would it be possible to put the camera on your left or right side instead of behind you? Or turn your workbench 90 degrees because you have a good backdrop with the view now. That way you wouldn’t have to turn all the way around to see to make sure what you’re showing is in the frame.

[@lesleythompson6801]

You're right, Mr. Chan, saving on plastic is about something more than money.

[@richardbmw320]

Have you done any follow up videos with this group?

[@rebeccahunter725]

I wish to do a maple forest with many different colours one day, and also a flowering group with different flowers. I am thinking fruit trees, and have cuttings of a number of plums, almond and cherry. Let us see what strikes, and see where we go from there!

[@zimrianispresent8123]

Nice

[@chrisrose323]

I want to make a ezo spruce or chinese elm forest... No one sells those trees Around here :(

[@Najaxyutara]

Merci ! good ;)

[@gerbenhoutman9348]

I made a group planting of three. Two wild seedling silver maples and one wild seedling sugar maple. I had to hurry because I had no time. When I came back I noticed the composition was awful, but I didn't care because next spring I planned on replanting. Then I noticed that the group looked good from the side. Whimsical even. The 4 to 6 yo seedlings were from an old gutter and were warped by the experience. Is there any reason that the side can't be the front?

[@cubeslines8732]

Thank you, enjoyed your work and commentary. Also your roots to Chinese numerology....888 trees....plant them 😅

[@josebaaingeru]

So Great Mr.Chan! Hi mi Name is Peter and today im making pizza!! First you have to take the bread base and then you only have to put tomato.. cheese.. Peperoni... Oh! I have chocolate!!! Why dont I put chocolate! Experimentation is very important, if you Don't try you will never know.. Hahaha! So great Máster ChanChan! Thank you for all Your knowledge!

[@herve30able1]

Doing landscaping I learned that impair numbers was ideal, is it different for bonsaï display ?

[@connorcardinal677]

Hi everyone does anyone know why a dawn redwood would drop it’s needles in august? I live in the UK and the dropped needles are not damaged and still green. Thank you

[@lluisasastre]

Good morning from Barcelona Spain! Nice video, what happened last 28th of June, you look serious with this shirt,🤔 For the rest, everything you teach us is special for me Yesterday 22th of august I got maples Seeds from a tree, when do you recomend to Plant them now or next spring

[@peterchan3100]

Forgot the Hawaiian shirt as I came straight from my office.

[@lluisasastre]

And How about Plant the Seeds now or wait?

[@peterchan3100]

@@lluisasastre Plant seeds in December

[@mmjnice97]

I would combine all the saplings into one by taping them up with the longest in the middle therefore making a .. .. massive trunk and nebari when they Fuse together in a coupleofyears... I've been watching these videos wayyyyy to much hehehehe ;-)

[@LizMcNamara47]

It’s a bit crowded in there, you will have to coppice that forest! 🤣

[@rahilahmadi5382]

Hello, may I ask you to explain about details of bonsai soil?