Making an Oak Bonsai

[@robertmitchell5689]

What I like most about Peter Chan is he mixes traditional with innovative and the unconventional stressing that IF YOU like it then do what pleases you and ignore the criticism. I have learned so much from him and have done bonsai for almost 30 years, but was more traditional. I have changed my attitude and thinking considerably because of him. BRAVO!!!

[@Luckma1]

you would love the videos from Walter Pall

[@royfearn4345]

Yes, I knew absolutely nothing, but already feel confident to have a go

[@Lachlanrocca]

I really respect that you can adapt your ways even after 30 years of traditional bonsais. So many people become conservative and don't change because they think everything they've done before was wasted energy. Adapt, overcome and do exactly what feels right in the moment.

[@kingstar2256]

what a great comment! even after 30 years! you can still learn more... traditional bonsai methods have always been a little intimidating to me... but Peter Chan has inspired me to give it a go again! I love bonsai so much.

[@jacquiland6467]

I have half a dozen oak bonsai in training and your video has been very helpful in understanding how much root pruning they can handle. A couple are 28 years old now and I got them as seedlings from my fathers garden after he passed away suddenly at age 59. He was from Portsmouth in England and having these trees makes his memory stay alive.😊

[@Pimpmedown]

do you mind making a video? simply in the state they are now - i know many people with forrests and am thinking about salvaging one young tree to try and make something out of it - so i know what i should look for maybe?

[@pink43560]

That’s amazing!

[@falfield]

Nice to have an articulate and clearly-spoken commentary.....the expertise is taken for granted. Thank You!

[@johndeopaduaART]

You know you have a lot of bonsai when you can say “ i stumbled around this beautiful oak” in your own field

[@greenvilleobserver9431]

Come to Upstate South Carolina, I have 38 large trees in my 3/4 acre backyard. 3 types of oaks, poplar, cedar, holly, maple, sweetgum, crepe myrtle, pine. the amount of seedlings that come up every year are astonishing.

[@Hortifox_the_gardener]

It's a tree nursery after all. It's like saying "you have a lot of cars" to a car dealer :D

[@1caramarie]

@@greenvilleobserver9431 I have 1/3 acre in Minnesota and I can't keep up with all the babies of my large oaks and sugar maples, that are about 100 years old.

[@blameusa7082]

@@greenvilleobserver9431 should come see my 12foot garden!!

[@Riddlemt]

@@greenvilleobserver9431 Oh la la...

[@mariapilarme]

I just love oak trees. I live in Northern California and in the park behind my house there are 300 year old oaks. There are huge and the branches come down to the ground to give shade to their roots. With temperatures 100 degrees or 40 Celsius on summer they don’t die. They are nature’s cathedrals! They are spectaculars!

[@thomaskitlica5572]

I love how you show us how to get big bonsai trees without waiting 50 years!

[@mykorizzo6579]

Thank you for including us Peter, I always love these seeing these mundane tasks

[@BlueSkyBonsai]

I really love Englsih oaks ! As well as they two oak shoots that Peter dug out for me in November, I also took about 10 acorns from the massive tree in front of the nursery car park. Of those acorns, 8 are now growing beautifully. so I have ten English oaks well on their way to becoming future oak bonsai, thanks to Peter and Herons!

[@KennetDeBondt]

I gave it a shot with acorns: kzbin.info/aero/PLLfXUppdVxvxDIz5zp9cmIBEJq0jjObXS grts K

[@MrFoai]

You have very hardworking assistant. He loves to work with a bonsai master like you i think :)

[@Digalog]

2 bonzai 4 senpai?

[@DarleneBoyd]

Thank you. Living in California I have wondered about making oak bonsai. This is perfect. We have about 300 species of oaks.

[@michaellarosa6344]

That has a very nice natural shape . There’s plenty of fine roots as well. A great video

[@purplemonkeyelephant]

Please tell Padmapriya hi from me. My name's Jack and I used to work in the health food shop with him. I watch your videos and what a coincidence to suddenly recognise him!

[@HeronsBonsaiUK]

Hello Jack, I will certainly pass on your greetings to Padmapriya, I remember you too from the health food shop. So nice to see you here.

[@Lachlanrocca]

Awesome! I love the coincidence!

[@MrAlexander1955]

I love all your videos.I'm 66, just start this lovely world 2 months ago, thanks to your videos.Greetings from Capri, a small island in Italy.ps,a big thank you to your assistant.

[@howardmckeown7187]

I'm 66, started 18 mths ago, now have over 30 trees, loving it, wish I'd started years ago🤔never had time

[@billtyack2564]

I just started bonsai you are the best teacher I've seen on here ive learning from you w every video Thanks so much

[@kelleymcbride4633]

The guy doing the pruning has a killer gig I'm jealous! 🌱🌿🌲🌿🌱

[@rubber800]

Love the oaks. I would hope to see more videos on the oak tree bonsais as there aren't many videos out there on them.

[@ETOE]

Love this video. I found an oak 3 years ago in my garden as well. A squirrel brought it from the neighbours yard with massive several hundred years old oaks in it. Instead of wasting it for lawn I decided to put it in a pot and hope for a nice tree in 30 years as well.

[@TgWags69]

Thank you for showing us some of the more practical side. I would love to see more of this. Especially how you cut and develop the trunks of field stock like this.

[@KennetDeBondt]

I gave it a shot with acorns: kzbin.info/aero/PLLfXUppdVxvxDIz5zp9cmIBEJq0jjObXS grts K

[@psyche8]

It's a year later now, have you got an update?! Would love to see another year's growth on this and what you've done this year.

[@denversmart6476]

Yes 2 years later, I want to see it now too

[@razor2ts]

Yes Peter let's see this tree today? Is it still alive?????

[@Kingloui10]

Bout a year ago I picked up an oak tree seed amongst hundreds of seeds. Thought it looked cool and figure why not throw it it some soil. I paid it no mind since I planted it in one of my mother’s pots (since she waters her plants everyday). To my surprise I noticed a little plant sprouting months later. I was shocked the seed sprouted given the unfavorable conditions. Just soil and water with no prep work whatsoever. Really made me think a lot about life and it’s will to persevere. So here I am to prepare it for a long winter and hopefully a healthy and prosperous life.

[@AyliCarper]

My son had put some acorns in a plastic bag one day we visited a garden somewhere. The bag got thrown in a coat cupboard. A year later I tidied the cupboard and there were two oak saplings bursting their guts out in the bag! Life is strong.

[@sandy-rr1by]

nice to see your helper at work!

[@juliepayne2129]

I love your videos so much, I have been trying to do my own bonsai for the last few years, one is now getting long and sparse, so I will now be taking it out of its pot for the first time, it's 7yrs old. I'm going to cut it back, tease the roots and hopefully it will come back better than before. I don't find any of your videos boring, I'm now I'm my 40s but have loved gardening since my teens and adapting large plants and trees to pots as my gardens is small. My biggest problem has been the hot summers we've had here in the UK the last couple of years, our garden is fully south facing, the only shade coming from a hardy twisted willow but it doesn't give much shade. The last two summers hit my plants hard, especially my bonsai maples; burning the leaves and killing a lot of branches of my favourite one. I cut them back and 75% was saved but it's now lost its lovely shape. I've started watching your wonderful insightful videos and hope to make it into a better bonsai than previously. Many Thanks

[@Death2unicorns]

Loved that your doing a video on oaks. They're some of my favorites and don't get enough love in the bonsai world. Also the resolution looks much better in this video!

[@timdady4660]

I have just re watched this , as I do love Oaks, Wonderful tree and one I will look out for on my visit

[@Jake.44Mag]

Don't clean your gutters for awhile, you'll have all the little trees you want👍 (Ps: I have a lot of respect for the talent this takes, before anyone thinks otherwise)

[@briankavanagh7191]

Peter a lovely Oak with the chop becoming a feature, looking forward to seeing this tree in two/three years time.

[@Digalog]

BONKSAI?

[@mauldus]

I've always loved this art. The Japanese are in a class of their own. So much respect for their discipline.

[@cldavis33]

The mundane and 'boring' work where all the details are to be found. Much appreciated in an instructional video! I was scared of bonsai roots my whole life until I see these videos. No more.

[@chrisnielsen5467]

On the topic of recording everything even the mundane... this is a video I have been hoping to find for quite some time and I was searching your channel for oak bonsai. So thank you for recording this moment!

[@Richard_FitPku]

‘This pot looks a bit big, mmmm, but the tree will be more comfortable in this pot.’ That’s why i love this hobby. It can be seen to be brutal and harming, but experts down to the general hobbyist gain through this interest a greater respect for nature/trees.

[@connydonne3347]

Dera sir, hier vanuit België, willen wij u feliciteren met de prachtige bonsai s die u maakt, u heeft ons al veel geleerd, en we proberen zo goed mogelijk om zelf een bonsai te maken, dank je wel om zoveel kunst te tonen , wij maken een diepe buiging voor u, dank je wel, groetjes uit België, Conny

[@robbybobby6483]

I love your nursery. What a great place to work. If you love plants that is, and I do.

[@jessestambaugh447]

I would love to have that tree from Mr. Peter it's another one of his famous beautiful works of art Jesse

[@lordforlorn9766]

Oaks make lovely bonsai subjects. 😀

[@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164]

I've run across more than a few oaks that I now have a reason to dig up. Thanks!

[@Digalog]

the bandicoot and the bensai are well farned together in the behowers of banshast, rriight?

[@howardmckeown7187]

@@Digalog yep

[@maverickstclare3756]

I do enjoy your preference for big bonsai, I wont live long enough to see my potted oaks get that size! They are the size of the second one.

[@eljotaeme1516]

Peter Chang, you are the biggest bungler what I have seen in my life

[@marknorris9382]

Brilliant tutorial video. Beautiful Oak. Mr Chan is so relaxing to watch and a great teacher. Thank you for sharing.

[@MidniteSan]

Strong and healthy specimen, a splendid future bonsai indeed Peter..thx for sharing and can't wait for the next one..cheers

[@chemicistt]

The dream is to learn from a master, loving these videos!

[@timdady4660]

I have two x 200 year old oak trees in my garden, from them I have now got 1x 5 year old ,just starting its first year of shaping and 7 that are 3 year old ,thickening up , 1 acorn from last year and surprisingly 1 that looks like the small one Peter showed at the end. thank you Peter

[@couchpotatoesnotsoanonymou9913]

"can you do it single handed?" "yep" *uses head* 11:30

[@hecktorklemens5636]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[@Philip-wv3wq]

I'd love to work for Peter, the amount you could learn would be fantastic

[@PlantObsessed]

Thank you for showing this procedure. Many of us do this for our bonsai at home. First grow in the yard then to a pot. I enjoy seeing what they will do in 10 years if i take care. Happy Holidays!

[@gerryvalle1841]

Would love to see an update on this beautiful oak

[@mountain-roots]

What a pleasure to learn from such a joy to see the transition

[@josephwatts2341]

I’ve been waiting for a video on this since I saved a young oak from our local park. Thank you very much for this!

[@noneofuourbusiness]

Peter i just got a red oak and a red maple the other day. I appreciate every video you do and your knowledge is great... Bless you sir

[@terencedixon2960]

Wonderful. Just the inspiration I needed for my oak projects. Thank you

[@JoeCangelosi-e3r]

Hello from the Jersey Shore ! What a great project thanks for sharing your expertise and creativity with us ! I am always on the lookout for trees just like this oak, growing between fences, or mixed in with the brush !

[@FloridaDreamHouse]

Would love to see this tree again in a future video.

[@eznakai]

Fabulously informative Peter! My favourite tree is my oak!

[@alexandrecastagna9578]

I start to develop oaks now that I have my two maples. I belive that Peter and me are connected because every time that I ask question to my self, Peter answer to it in a video fews days later... 😍 Love you little tree lovers 🇲🇫

[@thebonsaiprojectkernow]

I first watched this video way back in March when I developed an interest in bonsai,watching again now as I have successfully germinated 3 or 4 oaks

[@CampingforCool41]

That’s a gorgeous looking oak

[@PickleJar251]

Sweet now to go collect all of the oak and pine saplings around my yard lol

[@snowpeaky]

I'll take one hah. I've been looking everywhere when I go hiking/walking to find an Oak sapling :D

[@PickleJar251]

@@snowpeaky funny enough just found 5 today that sprouted from acorns

[@snowpeaky]

@@PickleJar251 Ah no way! Lucky you! :)

[@craigadams2212]

Thank you Peter - I am planning on starting an Oak off for my first grandchild expected In March and you are and continue to be the inspiration I need

[@stevenschnepp576]

Start several. They're finicky in pots.

[@ruthieonline]

Despite the surely often difficult work, it must be a very satisfying feeling to work with such beautiful creatures. Happy who is allowed to do such a job.

[@rockybest3370]

I have always loved bonsai, and this channel has pushed me to do my own, I have a ficus I got for 6 dollars and a red pine (which needs time to grow) for free. I’m also trying to propagate a Japanese maple from a cutting, which is proving to be quite difficult. I love the attitude of saving money and working with what you have 🙏

[@xavierlcq4944]

so many thanks from France for you videos !

[@marypesci7431]

Nothing is boring if you are interested to learn I enjoy every video good job love it 👌

[@fredgrech1498]

Thanks for sharing peter just beautiful

[@barrykerr7995]

lovely, a real pleasure to watch an artist at work.

[@Alypinkflower]

Nice n a good assistant too

[@ecowolf228]

It might be mundane for these guys, but this is teaching me how to do it better myself. Thank you for sharing.

[@meenapatel2069]

Excellent demonstration on how to work with a Bonsai. I am in the process of doing an oak Bonsai hence researched and you came about 👍🏽

[@reel2real1]

Peter, I found a beautiful example of Oak in a nearby forrest, I thi k it would make a beautiful yamadori. When is the best time to dig the tree? I have read different things on the internet. I live in Denmark.

[@jaxszeszko5291]

Everything about what you do is amazing

[@doghouseclassics6835]

Hi Mr Chan,I thought it was to late in the season to lift or pot on trees,I only ask as i have an oak i am waiting to lift. Will your oak stay in the greenhouse until spring now for protection from frost. Thank you ,it is a very beautiful ,natural tree.

[@peterchan3100]

Yes I protect these newly potted trees in our greenhouse

[@peterharrison2888]

Thank you , we understand But Peter, if we do not have a greenhouse, what can we do to protect the Tree ?

[@papajeff5486]

Would enjoy seeing this oak a couple years later. Thank you for this lesson. Texas

[@gwenmartinsen3979]

Can you plant some of the roots you cut off?

[@rosshopkins2063]

Did anyone else's mind explode when he's like turn the tree ightly counter clockwise and boom its like 1000 times better and you have no clue how thats possible

[@BassPotter46]

Fabulous Mr. Peter!

[@terimurphy9400]

Lovely! I would like to see what it looks like now.

[@DarleneBoyd]

Thank you. Living in California we have many oaks and I found some seedlings by a water faucet drain, with lots of debris. Some still have their acorns attached. I am excited to see what you have done. I am most grateful to learn that one does not use akadama for all trees, as I have been having more success with our native soil and mixing it with peat in some cases. Yes, I really appreciate the dedicated boring maintenance "stuff".

[@harison548]

Thanks for this video! It always amazes me how rough you can be with these plants.

[@mangeshthawre416]

Wow thats a large tree, too good 👌👌👌

[@haroldwilliams9722]

Again Thank You Master”P” You are the Man!!!🙏🏿

[@diffraction163]

im glad that a master gets help. love your channel :)

[@kn509]

Hello Peter, thank you so much for your wonderful videos! I already learned so much from you by watching them! As you were showing the young oak I was wondering if you could make a video especially about how to start young oaks off? The oak is my favorite tree and I would love to learn how to make a bonsai from it from scratch... Many greetings from Austria, Kathi!

[@GenderSkins]

I like what you are doing, as you explain quite a bit about Bonsai trees and their needs. I also like that you are not so doing so much sculpting of the tree's, that involve carving and burning the trees like another KZbinr I saw. As I started two silk fan tree's from seed, about 3 years ago and have been learning with them. So your video's are helping me to understand a little more about how to care for the tree's. So thank you for that. And I like that you are working with tree species, like Oak's which grow naturally around the area where I live as does Cedar, pine, Box Elm and a few others.

[@franklotion8]

Those are the best gloves ever!! Perfect all around uses👍👍

[@Mjmcarlson]

Thank you for sharing you talents and gifts with us! I learn so much from your instruction. Could you please share what the cut looked like, that you administered to this tree those few years back, to induce the new growth? Did you have to protect that cut in some way?

[@peterchan3100]

I just cut it with a saw - no sealant used.

[@danielcarter8390]

Thanks peter and friend for a lovely video on the oak godbless

[@steveanacorteswa3979]

That is one beautiful tree, you never know and I guess that is the excitement of Bonsai.

[@Teabeepea]

I love it. I have a baby sapling oak and this makes me hopeful

[@SelaciousCrumb]

Really inspiring. Thank you for showing that you can adapt and some rules can be amended. I'm planning to have 2 outdoor oak bonsai from the acorns of and ancient oak my late father loved. I plan to nurture these bonsai and have one for myself and one for my brother so we can bring new life in his memory

[@americanboathead5390]

Step one: chop the top off 5 years ago...

[@Lordosvk]

This is stupid idea how to make bonsai.

[@skatatataatje]

@@Lordosvk Your comment is stupid. You should feel bad.

[@easmr1]

😂😂😂

[@agoodred]

American Boathead 😂🤣😂👍👍

[@JAMES-dv5ns]

Alright then don’t do bonsai I’d you have no patience

[@Stixero]

Was there no tap root on this beautiful oak? How did you handle it? Or was it grown from acorn?! What is the age then? Fantastic video, thank you very much for sharing!

[@peterchan3100]

The tap root was cut long ago. All oaks grow from acorns. This one was a wildling growing in our field.

[@Stixero]

@@peterchan3100 Amazing. So an oak that robust requires extra patience, I'll have to grow one myself then! Thank you so much for answering.

[@leslieblackshear802]

Thankyou for sharing this amazing tree. Love the videos

[@Alex-yl8dz]

6:30 that "Oh is it" is such a perfect blend between your native accent and English

[@19Meikel62]

hello and thanks for the nice video ..... have you received such a strong root cutting a tree?

[@peterchan3100]

Oaks don't grow easily from root cuttings

[@guysolis5843]

Good video. Makes me want to get back into the hobby once I get moves. Squirrels ruined a lot of what I had before but I was waiting for Heron's helper to say "Yes, master" like Igor in Young Frankenstein but Heron's helper sure looked like he knew what he was doing! I bought a house in Colorado that was attempting to flourish in the middle of the lawn. After a few years I noticed it, dug it up and it sprang to life. It was short and stout and interesting..

[@Maumau369]

got my first oak yamadori today love it. Thanks alot for your videos I appreciate it alot and learnt so much already. Please never stop :(

[@alvoefc801]

Can't wait to see more oak bonsai

[@fennhoppe1746]

Would love an update on this tree

[@hobbyscape4433]

I’m still yet to add an Oak tree in my Bonsai collection. Such a beautiful and majestic tree... the Oak. Thanks for sharing

[@rickthomas6348]

These guys have an incredible eye for detail, amazing.

[@bonsaihigh]

I dont get why people would criticize about the shaping of your trees. They look amazing!

[@peterchan3100]

The bonsai police and the jealous people. Ha Ha ( I know who they are!!)

[@bonsaihigh]

@@peterchan3100 😂😂😂

[@a1mpreza]

Thank you for this video. I was wondering why the tiny oak you showed was cut at two points? Surely it wasn't for the purposes of achieving taper as it looks too small and thin for that.

[@matzez1]

hello, very nice Video. How oldwas the tree when you did that main cut at the trunk? And how is the tree doing today?