Repotting My Field Maple, The Bonsai Zone, March 2024

This is the second root pruning of my Field Maple (Acer campestre). I also go back in time to look at the root system to see how it's developed.
To see previous videos of my Field Maple bonsai, click on the playlist here...
• Field Maple Bonsai
#TheBonsaiZone

[@jeanne-gord7685]

Thanks to my BONSAI pastor who nurtures all of us viewers. Thanks for all the root work Nigel. It is spring here in the PNW of Whidbey Island and I have been busy repotting all my Bonsai. Some were there first repotting from nursery stock into training pots. Some were done three years ago (couldn't get them done last year) So they came out of training pots into their first true bonsai pots. Wow all the training you have given over the years has really paid off for me. I had a lot of gorgeous root systems, all thanks to you. It is a real joy to watch your vids. Thanks for your consistency and discipline as you video the bonsai cycles over and over again. Love the updates.

[@suneetsingh7745]

Nigel it's really commendable to see the level of perfection you achieve with the root system ❤❤

[@TheWatchpoplars]

I'm noticing the city beyond the neighborhood chickens, cars, dogs, and trees, is making more noise now! The city has broken dormancy lol!

[@adkinsterance8102]

I saw a video on azaleas by an expert who said that cutting away the roots from directly underneath the root base of the tree can eventually kill the azalea. He learned this when he spent time in Japan working with them. Just a little hint.

[@Darkfire1300]

I learn so much from your videos about a solid and effective approach to getting those dang roots headed the right direction - radially! Some of your instructions have actually sunk in. And my trees and their root systems are better for it. I don't have any "field" maples although I do have some silver maple and a couple of red maples. They may get some attention this year. I pretty much repotted everything last year. I will get to them some time in the next couple of weeks just to check on those roots. Probably nothing until next year. The second year per your suggestion. Thanks as always!

[@KennetDeBondt]

Good job Nigel. Fieldmaples are one of the best maples for bonsai. Grts Kennet

[@n8tyler]

Thanks for sharing Nigel...

[@nwilliams1540]

Great roots on that field maple!

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

That maple is coming along nicely!

[@michaelmott7402]

Bravo 👏 Nigel. What a beautiful tree this is going to be with your work on the radial roots that are in such great shape and the trunk line has a wonderful shape to it. The pot that you picked is a great choice and this summer the tree is going to have a enormous presence there. Thank you for another great video Nigel 😊

[@Santi-us9ec]

Es una maravilla ver cómo trabaja las raíces con la precisión de un cirujano.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Excellent repot. Spring growth looks good for it.

[@lukasmihara]

That's a good root system to work with for the future. I'm sure the maple will like its new pot!

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Yes, it is doing really well this year!!!

[@CharlieMcLaughlin-z3b]

😢 missed your live but at least I can still watch your videos

[@givetanks]

Very nice - I just did a video on a Japanese maple I collected. I love field maples

[@RasDrew72]

Rastafari blessed love ❤️

[@CharlieMcLaughlin-z3b]

The Bonsai Zone is the place to be

[@givetanks]

yep - I started my channel after watching him for years

[@moro8274]

i hope to see your awesome norway maple on a video soon!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

All your snow is going to melt now. That is about the same temperature we are expecting today in the windy city.

[@lukeconnolly]

Hi Nigel, love your videos - probably the single best resource I've found for hands-on bonsai work. I have a specific question I can't seem to find an answer for - if my young maple, grown from seed (now going into it's 3rd growing season) has very early leaf growth showing, is it too late in the season to prune the roots and repot? As I take it, earlier in the season (before budding) is preferred, but I'm hoping not to have to wait until next February to prune the roots. I guess what I'm asking is, will root pruning kill my tree if the leaves have already started to pop?

[@TheBonsaiZone]

The only true way of telling is to lift the tree out of the pot and examine the roots. If the root tips haven't started to grow, it is safe to do a full root prune and repot. If some roots are active, but not all, root prune, but don't prune as much. If all the roots are active and are growing, you can still repot the tree, but don't do any root pruning, just untangle the roots and maybe prune off the odd bad root. Aftercare is very important, don't let the tree dry out and keep it away from frost. Keep it out of the wind and intense sun, until it begins to grow once again!

[@lukeconnolly]

@@TheBonsaiZone thank you so much! Didn't know to look at the roots for growth. I was hoping to repot into a bonsai pot, which would require a pretty agressive root prune, so most likely I won't be able to accomplish that this year (I assume some root growth has started). Really, really appreciate your response! Thank you!

[@ottoman4r]

Will your 60th birthday pine be repotted this year? Very curious about root development

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

I'm wondering if you found a sapsicle during your walks in the woods this winter. Maples have sweet sapscicles from my research.

[@WanderingBobAK]

Would you consider wiring the main trunk to gain some movement? Or if that not done with maples? Hoping my maple will survive the winter, still buried in snow. PS- Can you dread maple roots? Looks like a great candidate. 😜

[@reywashere5284]

Ah yes, the orange sweater maple!

[@D.Will.C.]

I'd say with the "stones" that tree has, there's plenty of vigor... LoL

[@therisingofroninbonsai]

Simple maples. But looking nice

[@mattbryte2]

What is his most developed tree? I would love to see how his root pruning turns out

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Mrs. Field's root surgery is now being done in operating room 2. Master Surgeon Dr. Saunders presiding. Students, please bring pencil & paper to take notes. Questions will be answered by the good doctor.

[@Stettafire]

🤣

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌👌

[@averyprice9422]

Waiting on my substrate... I got at least 3 repots left...

[@givetanks]

Those stones look like dinosaur eggs

[@chaiwatpotichanid]

🥰🥰✌

[@kathyvettraino2267]

First! 🎉

[@kathyvettraino2267]

I hope nobody scolds me this time! 😢

[@elementalbonsai]

💯

[@Stettafire]

🍪

[@Stettafire]

No scolding, cookie! 🍪

[@paulschaefer5241]

Field maples are not often grown as small trees. even though the tree has relatively small leaves for a maple, it is not considered suitable as the twigs do not ramify as well as do most other maples.

[@mattbrennan647]

This channel is a hobbyists dream. If you watch for a while you’ll see Nigel bonsai asparagus ferns, rubber trees, aloes etc etc. Stay tuned 😊

[@Stettafire]

I think sometimes people are scared of doing anything other than a Japanese maple. You like what you like, but I would've thought sticking with the same tree would get a tad dull

[@bhargavtank3784]

You need to remove that V shape top branches heavy too