Making a Norway Spruce Bonsai from nursery stock

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Happy birthday Tony and thanks Jay!!!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Nigel!

[@NoCoastGolf]

"It seems like a good branch.....to be removed." Suspense, Tony. Great video, sir. Appreciate it.

[@yoxxed]

I found one exactly like this after Christmas (on the street!), with a lot roots and dirt still around the pot. Glad to hear this is a good thing! I’m starting my first Bonsai now

[@TonysBonsai]

Absolutely brilliant Stephan. I hope the work you did on it went well. Try to look after it and don;t put it in direct sun for a while until it has had time to recover.

[@maryweber4176]

Miss you Tony

[@beth7467]

Jay (from Blue Jay Bonsai) is a good egg.

[@nerinat8371]

I finally found a Spruce today and this is why l needed to watch what you did.. legend...thanks Tony

[@Barbara-xh5ef]

Nice job! You give me hope to do this myself. Thank you 😊

[@TonysBonsai]

Excellent! This tree is growing really well since I made this video, and I think given a couple of years it will be looking really good

[@govindadiscodancer6652]

That's a lovely bonsai Tony

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you Govinda. I hope it will look nice in 3-4 years

[@mattbrennan647]

Some fine work there Tony. Love what you’ve done with the apex. Jay is one of those special people in our community. Thanks, keep growing

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Matt. I watched his video before, and I spotted your good self making an appearance!

[@mattbrennan647]

@@TonysBonsai ,, down here in Florida for a while and went to wigerts bonsai (a poor mans herons) still absolutely amazing. Went a little crazy buying up some pots i haven’t been able to find.

[@TonysBonsai]

I love buying pots even though my trees aren't really ready for them. I think they are great things to have in their own right.

[@mattbrennan647]

@@TonysBonsai ,, most of my trees aren’t really ready yet either but there was such a great selection I couldn’t resist. Unfortunately I don’t have any similar nurseries near me in Connecticut so I just treated myself and stored up.

[@TonysBonsai]

A bonsai trip is always a good trip mate

[@Steves_Backyard_Bonsai]

Great start on that Spruce Tony. It’ll be awesome on the next go round. Cheers Tony

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Steve. I was itching to get in there and start pruning, but I know that I'm much better leaving it alone now to recover and I can get in there with the scissors another time.

[@jeffwilken6560]

I was so impressed that you used your gift money to buy a tree instead of booze,,,good for you.😊 Keep up with the great videos...very inspiring!!!

[@raymondplodzien7459]

Quite an undertaking Tony. Excellently done.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Raymond. I love this kind of project. Loads of fun

[@karenconquest]

Hi Tony! I did the exact same procedure on an Alberta Spruce two days ago. I was relieved to see you did what I did...my first attempt at making deadwood too. I left branches only on the side/back so that I can attempt to use the natural growth pattern of the branches so I can try clip and grow.

[@TonysBonsai]

Nice. I've yet to work on an alberta spruce, but I believe they make good bonsai. I'm planning on using clip and grow on this once the main structure of the downward sloping branches is set in place

[@nile2566]

I love how you mentioned bonsai releaf, always a good day when he posts

[@TonysBonsai]

yeah, his videos are something special. He must put so much effort into them.

[@digitaIgorilla]

Tony's lesson for today - Just go for it. A lesson to live by 🥰

[@TonysBonsai]

Indeed, there is a time and a place for holding back, and this wasn't one of those times

[@suiseki2571]

Nice find. Spruce has such a wonderful smell when you're working on it (though it can be a bit sticky).

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, of all the woods I would say it smells the best, although i do quite like olive wood which has a really earthy smell

[@jamesbutcher7171]

Evening Tony another great video, I managed to pick up a reduced fir the other day so this has been very interesting with the Jin at the top

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers James. This is the first time I've attempted this kind of style with the dead top, but it was great fun. I'm sure you'll enjoy working on your fir.

[@BONSAIenCORTO]

Thanks.

[@TonysBonsai]

It's always a pleasure

[@joegarland4885]

I like it Tony Spruce make great bonsai, as you say it is only the first stage so look forward to see we’re it goes in the future. All the best mate.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers joe. Yes this one needs plenty more work over the coming years, but it's off to a decent start I think.

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

Well done! That looks great! That deadwood will weather nicely. Very cool!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you very much. I hope it weathers in a very natural way.

[@tommytacoma8247]

Hey, Mate great job!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Tommy. It worked out pretty well this one

[@Rae-J90]

Looks great Tony 👍 Recently found your channel - subscription from me!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Rae. Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the sub!

[@kevinwilkes5969]

Well done mate.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Kevin

[@dermo1981]

Forget about Bonsai Releaf have some of Tony's Relief! Thanks Tony 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Love it! Cheers mate. I've not told anyone, but I've actually already started filming some long-term projects 😉

[@greenmachinesweden]

Looking forward to see that one develop.🙂👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate. I'm hoping this one will look great in a few years

[@bobcatbonsai]

Great job Tony! The new knife looks really good. I like the handle you made for it! Obviously the tree looks amazing as always!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Matt. I do love a bit of rosewood. It's not the easiest to work as it's so hard, but it has a lovely look and feel.

[@bobcatbonsai]

@@TonysBonsai yes it is. I have a small piece of purple heart wood that I am waiting to use on a special project!

[@trochartist]

Greetings from across the puddle (New York) Great vids👍 thanks for the knowledge

[@ryandawes1136]

Awesome video, i like what was done to the top of the tree with the dead wood feature.

[@MrMidnight2You]

Nice job. I’m not a big fan of Jin myself- but I can appreciate your craft. I’m a beginner so I may change my mind.

[@bonsai4fun]

Great job, Tony. I like the way how you styled the apex. Now I remain curious for the rest, which for now is difficult to judge on, as you left the branches fairly untouched, apart from wiring and bending. But one thing that appears to me already now is that the two or three branches on the bottom side might be still too low as they touch the ground already when bent down. Surely the final decision needs to be made only after you have revealed the full trunk and nebari out of the soil. Can‘t wait to see the next steps. Spruces are one of my favorites and there is always something to take away for own work. See you soon. Dirk

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Dirk. I had a very rudimentary dig down after shooting the video and it looks like there are around two inches of the trunk to be revealed, so that will be helpful. I am really looking forward to working on the foliage. My previous experience with spruce has been that when I make some big cuts and remove a lot of greenery the trees really struggle at first, and one I worked on similar to this died last year, so I'm being very cautious because I really like this tree's natural taper. If it pushes on well in the spring, I will probably do a bit of pruning in the summer to get rid of some of the bulk, then hopefully next spring I will sort out the roots. One of the things I love about bonsai is how we have to plan for the future and think in years.

[@bonsai4fun]

@@TonysBonsai Sounds reasonable. I am fully aligned with your approach.

[@govindadiscodancer6652]

Happy birthday Tony, have a goodun

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you. It was a super day

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Nice vid Tony will be a nice tree. 👍👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers, i think this has some really good potential in the future

[@Bonsaicrazy]

@@TonysBonsai perhaps consider taking the bark away all the way down the trunk. 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

that's an option for the future definitely!

[@guywatson-bognorregisbonsa7370]

Great work on the top of this tree Tony: it looks fantastic. I've always liked the look of deadwood at the top of a tree ever since I saw a needle Juniper with 5 deadwood spikes sticking out of the top of it. I'm going to have to have a go at something like this. Thanks. 👍👍🌲🌲

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Mate. you should definitely have a crack at creating something like this. I was surprised how it was relatively straight forward once I got stuck in.

[@mick681]

Hi Tony. This video is just what I needed. I bought 2 trees exactly like this from a well known DIY shop. Mine cost me £3 each, they were literally giving them away. I haven't touched them yet but after seeing this I'm raring to go. Bit too cold to work outside just yet (minus 6-7 at night , 2 to 3 daytime) so I will wait until it warms up a tad before I take the plunge. I hate the cold and can't wait for spring and summer. Great video. Take care.

[@TonysBonsai]

Excellent, sounds like you picked up a couple of bargains there mate. I went down to my local B and Q and was surprised that all the spruce trees were gone shortly after Christmas. Hopefully you managed to pick up ones with some decent potential as bonsai

[@chamaramendis7505]

I'm so sorry , when I am watching this I feel sad for tony

[@mchlbk]

Me to. He was such a nice bloke and had so many projects for the future.

[@dorritsmedsgard5900]

The jin on the old apex looks brilliant.

[@C1tyground5155]

Hi tony great find,I’m going on the hunt tomorrow

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Brian. Can't go wrong at that sort of money mate

[@thenaturecreater8906]

That spruce is a firetrap! Cool top on it you made. I made a norway spruce myself 3 days ago. Ended up chopping it down 60 % of its length. Because of whorles every where and huge lumps on the trunk. It was a mess. But if it survives the massacre I got a cool tree in 10 years maybe 🤔

[@TonysBonsai]

Nice, sounds like you really went into beast mode on that spruce, but sometimes we have to go hard to get decent material.

[@thenaturecreater8906]

@Tonys Bonsai i go hard when i dont see potential in the tree. Then we have to go all inn. Make it or brake it

[@steveanacorteswa3979]

Looks nice, I have a bunch of Dwarf Alberta Spruce, love working on them because of the smell but they don't like to hold wire either, I have some really fat ones so doing the best I can.

[@TonysBonsai]

This is my fisrt time working on alberta spruce, but the other spruces I have worked on are very springy, and it does take a long time to get them into a new position. Also I agree about the smell. Wonderful!

[@richardsmith6738]

I love a spruce,the only thing I would change is I don't like branches bent downwards right at the shoulder where they join the trunk.I much prefer them to rise naturally then bend downwards which I think makes them look like they are under the weight of snow(if that makes sense).keep the vids coming

[@TonysBonsai]

It's an interesting point Richard, and with deciduous trees I would agree, but I prefer the look of conifers with the downward-pointing branches. I think it gives them that alpine appearance

[@Tybold63]

I bet it was smelling lovely in that room with all spruce carnage. It will indeed be interesting how the tree develops and if the yins will look natural when they age...😊

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, it beats the smell of any air freshener. I will be interested to see how the deadwood looks in a couple of years when the new leader develops a bit so it hopefully won't appear quite so large

[@keepingitkoi]

You be careful with that new knife Tony we know what your like 😉 looks good tho bud 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣Yeah I know what you mean. It's nice working with a sharp tool though. makes the job a lot easier

[@BlueJayBonsai]

I thought Nigel was the king of bargain trees.. but you are really giving him a run for his money! Maybe you are the prince of bargains? (Or are you the joker?) 🤣😂🐦💙

[@TonysBonsai]

🤣I do love a bargain Jay, and I think this one is right up there with my best buys. I quite like that. 'The bonsai joker' 🤣

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Foirth. Bargain tree!!! 😮😮😮 You are going to need to leave the wire on that for a while though… as otherwise it will just laugh at you and spring back to it’s original shape - bl00dy spruce 😮😂😂

[@TonysBonsai]

yeah, you#re right there mate. I think I will probably unwire it in the summer when it's beginning to bite in and then re-wire it.

[@prettynicefield1104]

oh yeah !! Ryan Neil just post that a years ago on Mirai chanel !!

[@turkishdelight7083]

Tree looks great, knife looks awesome, sort of a kiridashi style? how did the heat treat go?

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks, yeah the treat went really well. We heated the blade with gas and air and it took no time at all to get hot, then I quenched in some old engine oil. there is a very slight warp, but it's so small it's barely visible

[@turkishdelight7083]

@@TonysBonsai Id love to try it someday when I have the space and time. I actually have a Seiryu that the dogs ate last year and it hasnt survived so going to carve a 'Tony Stick' out of it, thinking to leave the root spread on it at the base like gandalf's staff or something.

[@TonysBonsai]

@@turkishdelight7083 sounds like a good plan to me.

[@andrewclack4881]

I got a whole bunch of these for nothing. People were just leaving them out for recycling after Christmas. Still in their pots. Crazy!

[@TonysBonsai]

Now you're making me jealous. I love a free tree or two.

[@BogdanNYou]

when did you do all this work on it? Is it late winter or fall? I heard all types of versions, including late summer.

[@TonysBonsai]

I seem to recall making the video in early January. Iworked on a few different types of spruce, but the Norway has definitely responded the best

[@TheAustralian1x]

Wheres the updates for this tree or did it not survive?

[@mchlbk]

I hate to tell you this, but unfortunately Tony's cancer returned and he died 7 months after filming this video. 😢

[@TheAustralian1x]

​@@mchlbk😢 ahg sht RIP tony

[@AlexBraunton]

Thoird!

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Foist!

[@TonysBonsai]

Fast out of the traps Jay!

[@mailman5635]

Any new updates to this?

[@TonysBonsai]

yes, I can't recall in which video I did an update, but it is doing really well and growing very healthily

[@patch1526]

I have a pic of a weird tree in Florida want to send you. Unable to send to you here.

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi John. You can send it on [e-mail]

[@johnpugh5867]

Hi where abouts are you in UK

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi John. I live up in Preston.

[@baldyeti]

Secoind

[@TheTreeKing]

Omg! Poor tree!

[@Pepe2727]

What is this. Please dont do it anymore. Has nothing in common with bonsai attitude

[@mchlbk]

Hello Mr Gatekeeper, how are you today? ❤