Mastering Root Work for Silver Birch Bonsai

This beautiful silver birch tree was a gift from the late Tony Higginson of ‪@TonysBonsai‬.
It is now time to get it out of this plastic tub and assess the root health and make some decisions about it’s future as a bonsai.
Reducing roots in a bonsai tree over multiple growing seasons is a delicate and gradual process aimed at developing a shallow root mass suitable for transplantation into a shallow bonsai pot.
This method, known as root pruning, requires patience and careful observation to ensure the tree's health and vitality throughout the process.
Enjoy 🙏😁🌳
If you enjoyed this video then please like, share and comment. To be notified of future videos like this then please subscribe:
www.youtube.co...
Related videos:
--------
To see The Bonsai Beginner Mistake We All Make (And How To Avoid It):
• The Bonsai Beginner Mi...
The Truth About Bonsai Soil (You Need To Know):
• Bonsai Soil (What You ...
Discover how to rapidly develop a fantastic nebari on your bonsai trees. My top tips:
• Develop Rapid Nebari a...
See which 5 trees I recommend for anyone new to bonsai:
• 5 Great Bonsai Trees f...
To get thicker trunks on your bonsai, and develop more powerful, impressive bonsai trees see my essential tips and advice:
• Ground growing bonsai ...
Audio and Sound Effects:
--------------
All audio tracks and sound effects used are courtesy of Epidemic Sound.
Social media:
-------
Twitter: @theBonsaiGarden
Instagram: the_bonsai_garden
TikTok: @thebonsaigarden
#bonsai
#bonsaitrees
#bonsaicare

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

If you enjoyed this video then please like, share and comment. To be notified of future videos like this then please subscribe: www.youtube.com/@TheBonsaiGarden?sub_confirmation=1 The Power of Bonsai and Mental Health: -------- To see my uplifting and affirming video on the power of Bonsai and Mental Health check out the link below. Months in research and development, and featuring powerful contributions from a number of other bonsai KZbinrs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eme5iGudhduhg7ssi=OlzcqLbXgQFtbtXR Please share so as many people as necessary see this video and hear the powerful message.

[@jonnyjonbo]

Thanks mate you living legend 👍🏻 R.I.P Tony the legend. I still watch and love his videos and personality and love your videos too mate your a good bloke. Take care ✌🏼👊🏼

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thanks Jon 👍

[@hyperionhelios190]

Tony lives on through his trees.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Yes, absolutely. 👍

[@nickrobson2753]

Excellent work on Tony's Legacy Birch. Great content & explanation on root pruning. Tony's videos are what fuelled my interest in Bonsai. Just a normal bloke, giving it a go.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Tony was a real trooper sadly dealt a bad hand, but he dealt with it with dignity and humour. A really sad loss. 🥲

[@Bonsaicrazy]

Great video Jason Tony’s tree couldn’t have gone to a better home mate 👊👊👊

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

That’s very kind of you Andy. Thanks 🙏

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That's a great explanatory video and I am loving the direction this birch appears to be heading. I like you idea for the shallow pot and I would imagine that in another 2 years you could remove the rest of those unwanted roots :)

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thanks Xavier. Now to deal with the other two, more problematic trees 😁

[@trybonsai]

Really lovely tree, we don't have that species in Trinidad... I followed Tony and his work, and although i never knew him personally, I i was saddened by his passing, but as you said, his legacy lives on.. Thanks for all you do.. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you for your kind words 🙏

[@societyspy]

Another fantastic video, my friend... Headed over to watch the suggested videos now. God bless.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you. Your support is greatly appreciated. 👍

[@Ad_DOOM]

Your outfit today is giving me Marty Mcfly vibes and I love it. That's looking pretty healthy. I repot the oak tree Tony gave me and it I gave it a tony trunk chop as well. Not going to touch it now for two years. It's in good soil in a pond basket now.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

So some said that about my intro to the Doncaster Show video so I decided to lean into it 😂 Good luck with the oak tree 👍

[@markjagger7139]

That will be a stunning tree in years to come.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

I believe so too Mark 👍

[@bonsaiexpression]

Great video. Jason very informative. Nice to see you taking good care of one of Tony's trees 👍🏼

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you 🙏

[@maryweber4176]

Beautiful videoJason. I think your choice of a pot will be amazing. Isn't it wonderful how many people Tony touched in his videos, all across continents. I have watched your video on mental health a few times now, it is food for thought, literally. I got into bonsai as a means to destress, and I have to keep reminding myself of that. Tony taught me to see the lighter side of things, and although I still watch his videos, I wish there were more of them.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you Mary. I think Tony definitely had a sense of how many people loved his videos - his Bonsai Extravaganza event, though a bit sad and poignant in the circumstances, was also incredibly well attended. 🙏

[@bartstellink307]

Cool, love to watch videos with trees of Tony... He always had time for a little chat. Made me laugh a lot with his sillyness. I even named one of my trees after him, but sadly my cat decided it needed a prune... (shohin, so was he was done in like a minute...) But, a lot of buds are poppin out. Back on topic: This is going to be a nice one. Love the white bark.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@susanbossert6833]

I like your idea for the shallow, pale-colored pot. It's good to see one of Tony's trees again.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you Susan. This one is a real beauty and a treasured tree. 🙏

[@nerinat8371]

Stunning looking tree, Tony would be stoked with what you done to it. Thank you

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you Nerina 🙏

[@PatriciaOConnorBonsaiBalcony]

Very nice Show Jason. Love your people. Time is an illusion.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you Patricia. We are all here for each other. 🙏

[@hyperionhelios190]

I always keep a dozen of these baskets in my personal stock! Love them.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

They are great for encouraging healthy root growth 👍

[@AlexBraunton]

A great video Jason, informative and entertaining. Nice work on the birch. I'm sure it will grow well and make Tony proud.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Cheers Alex. 🙏

[@Tybold63]

Landed here because the reference to Tony (I think) which we all miss. However, I stayed because you delivered some nice takes on the topic of bonsai. Imho the more merrier to follow many "bonsaitubers". Cheers and btw I subed as well.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you. 🙏 I’m just putting together an update on the Tony silver birch trees which should be ready in the next day or two. I found a couple of clips where he was talking about the trees he gave me to show the progression.

[@theranike]

Nice birch! Good work! I wish you the best of luck with growing it!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you kindly 🙏

[@MartinBBB]

Excellent video Jason. When it's time for the display pot, maybe an unobtrusive brown unglazed pot would contrast nicely with the pale bark of the tree?

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

I also considered a round rustic nanban style pot. The glazed pot I have in mind would complement the leaves and be delicate and also quite unobtrusive. Thanks for your suggestion Martin 👍

[@KennetDeBondt]

Good job, still some big roots to get rid of. Pastel green could indeed be nice.😊 Grts Kennet

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thanks Kennet. That big remaining root is now much less of an issue as it can now be buried under the soil, particularly with the other big root and the twisted tap root gone. Lets see how the feeder roots develop in the basket 👍

[@NotAnotherBonsaiChannel]

A great video Jason and I'm sure Tony would be thrilled to see the progress of this tree. I couldn't help but chickle when I saw that it was originally growing in a washing up bowl as that was something that Tony became known for doing. This is a great tree and will only get better as time goes by

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Ha ha. Thank you Gavin. I have another one, a bit of a challenging shapeless multi trunk birch, which is also in a similar washing up bowl. One to tackle in a couple of months when the leaves emerge…

[@malsrfun2956]

Love the video, the tree, and the memory of Tony, whose videos were a treat. ❤❤❤ How long should you wait to fertilize after a root trim? My trees are all a long way from real bonsai pots but I've begun root reduction. Appreciate all your well produced bonsai educational videos.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you. I would give the roots 4-6 weeks to heal. Fertilisers are effectively salts and would burn the newly damaged/pruned roots.

[@roddfrancis5816]

Your plans sound great mate

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thanks 👍

[@givetanks]

great man, great bonsai , great video !

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

So nice of you

[@sueb1317]

Stunning tree - definitely destined to be a regal specimen! Tony did a great job with the initial development - was it a yamadori? I really appreciate you root reduction explanation. I'm still learning a lot in this area - love your illustrations and clear instructions. You may find a shallow pot unsatisfactory for this thirsty species. In my limited experience, I've found that the new folliage will wilt and burn off if the roots are not kept sufficiently moist. A deeper pot might look good when the bark begins to get that crackled texture. It could add stability to the composition as the gorgeous canopy increases in volume. Whatever your choice, I can't wait to see this tree's development - so exciting - I bet Tony is just beaming from above!!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you Sue. This was one of a handful of yamadori silver birch trees which I was given by Tony. Your comments regarding birch being a thirsty species are definitely something to bear in mind as I search for a pot. 🙏

[@YasuiBonsai]

I do really miss Tony… spent hours watching and re watching his videos. One of the most beautiful parts of bonsai is that as one artist slips away their trees can be passed on, encapsulating a part of them. Brilliant video, thank you

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you. Yes, the trees can transcend those who cared for them. We are only really their caretakers.

[@BonsaiDruid-qo9lo]

Great re-pot and root pruning tutorial, and I always appreciate your whiteboard illustrations. Looking forward to seeing the progression of Tony's silver birch

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you for your kind comments. I do enjoy a scribble on the white board 😀

[@Darkfire1300]

Thank you for your video, good care of this lovely tree and reminisces of Tony. I didn't ever meet him but was an avid fan. Now I am rewatching his videos and chuckling all over again. You cleverly spotted his dark sense of humor. I, along with every one else, miss him. It may take a long time with this variety. They are subject to lots of diseases here in Idaho and you grow them at your peril. So, I will really enjoy watching your progress.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you Susan. Birch can be prone to sudden branch loss here so something to be mindful of with this tree going forward.

[@johnstarkey4959]

What a nice tree this will become hopefully, memories of Tony every time you look at it.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thanks John 🙏

[@notionbonsai]

Great repotting Jason. Very well explained and I liked the detail on using aquarium air hose on the wire to protect the tree 😊

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thanks Adam. 👍

[@japanesemaplesbonsai7133]

Another Tony’s legacy tree, lovely birch!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

It’s a beauty 🙏

[@earthladyadventures5018]

RIP Tony😢😢😢❤❤❤

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

😢

[@andysbonsai]

Great potential in that tree, really good to see another of Tony's trees progression. On another note, where did that wicker effect basket come from? I can't seem to find a link to one with a perforated base.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thanks Andy. I bought those large baskets from the hardware/kitchen ware section of my local garden centre. They are sold as storage baskets but are great for bonsai cultivation.

[@JudyGSD]

Wonderful video and I’m sure Tony would be excited to see how his tree is now progressing into a work of art ❤️ Thank you Jason

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you kindly Judy 🙏

[@mattbrennan647]

Nice work, and tutorial, Jason. Tony would definitely approve. Thanks, keep growing

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you Matt 🙏

[@andrewclack4881]

Tony would have been well pleased with the root development in this tree.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

I think so too 🙏

[@fredmanfv]

That's going to be a special tree under your care mate. I like the look of your soil. What is it plz?

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Thank you Freddie. This soil is a mix of moler clay (Kitty Friend Pink cat litter) and APL (Akadama-Pumice-Lava). I have basically bulked out the APL with less expensive moler clay due to the size of the basket.

[@KeepingItBonsai]

Hey Jason long time fan 😊 I've seen those baskets alot later where do you get them from if you don't mind me asking?

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

I bought these from the hardware / kitchenware section of my local garden centre. They were sold as storage baskets.

[@KeepingItBonsai]

@TheBonsaiGarden I just had a look in one of my local garden centres but there version's were solid bases I'll have to keep looking 👍

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌🙂

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

👍👍👍

[@glennharris5043]

What brand are your wire cutters?

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Just some generic brand I bought on Amazon.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

I should also mention Jay of Blue Jay Bonsai kindly gifted me a pair of Ryuga bonsai wire clippers.