Smoketree makeover : Transforming neglected nursery material into a bonsai masterpiece

In this bonsai demo, David Easterbrook does a complete transformation of an upright Smoketree into a semi-cascading bonsai tree.

[@TheTickpicker1]

Love the tree you out did yourself on this one, the pearls of wisdom you share are priceless many thanks. Do take care of yourself David, we want you around for a long time you are an important part of the community.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks for sharing I appreciate everything you said

[@debbiefine2756]

Love the tree and enjoy your personality and calming voice.

[@BonsaiSociety]

My voice was more raspy and I was a bit worried about the results so thank you for the confidence boost

[@briefcandle]

Get well soon! Thanks for all the insight!

[@albertovarriale4987]

Hi David that's a beautiful challenge ,between few year it'll be a wonderful tree. My best greetings.See you in the next video. Bye.

[@brianingle8883]

Thank you David, get well soon.

[@kimberlyduncan1053]

This is going to be beautiful. Thank you. Hope you're feeling better

[@jasongannon7676]

Lovely start to a one day captivating specimen.

[@janeplatt8254]

Love this tree great result David 🇬🇧😊❤️

[@noregrets7469]

I enjoyed watching and the demonstration was a good one that keep me interested till the end and believe me that not an easy thing. If this tree grows as you hope it’s going to be a stunner🌹

[@BackyardBonsaiAustralia]

Great job. I preferred the square pot but can't argue with the end result .

[@bilalkassem1443]

Im liking cascade now. Get well soon dear david

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thank you for your good wishes Bilal

[@carlosandresperez.]

Very good looking tree and a very rare one. Congratulations!

[@FrediOlson]

It's amazing what a bonsai artist can envision in something that looked hopeless. I think it turned out amazing! Feel better fast. Love your work.

[@acloserlook6133]

Love the videos david. From Perth Scotland.

[@eliseyvorsin]

Потрясающее превращение!

[@maureenfaulkner4323]

Smoke bush into bonsai is brilliant and the number of lessons you have provided in your potting demonstration is appreciated. My former student in Ontario sent me the link to you in Montreal, from me in central BC. Thanks

[@AnkurRaina]

Wonderful piece of art. I hope we will get to see the end result soon

[@mikeswain1945]

David, you have great vision, I guess many people would not even have considered this. Thanks for sharing your skills with everyone.

[@BonsaiSociety]

In bonsai you have to be daring to create good trees

[@thenaturecreater8906]

Great work sir.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks

[@colinwilliams2198]

Very clever brilliant work xxxx

[@manuelramos527]

Thank you so much as usual for the tons of information. The almost hopeless tree turned out be another great masterpiece in the very near future. Get well David.

[@judylambert8636]

I like it ! Hope to see it leafed out !

[@brianwitton5061]

Well worth all the effort.

[@Ollieslife101]

Loved the whole video brother s stay safe

[@vladimirtrousil677]

It came out so good with large nebari. Will be enjoying fresh substrat and regain vigour. Wish you fast "covid" recovery. Happy Easter David

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thank you Vlad you are a true fan

[@vladimirtrousil677]

@@BonsaiSociety Thank you David for kind words Hope to see you soon

[@dcharrison]

It turn out really nice. I pray you and your camera man get well soon.

[@jonathanaristone2468]

Thanks for sharing your Pete Muck recipe, I've been looking for this along time. Great design from that original stock.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks it was challenging stock so I'm glad something good came out of it

[@guywatson-bognorregisbonsa7370]

Really enjoyed the video David. Wonderful to see your technique and it's an inspiration to us all. A great result that was definitely from outside the box. Hope you get over this dreadful covid bug soon. Many thanks. 👍👍

[@jensgrabher-meyer3565]

Astonishing, superb, excellent, almost not from this world. Hope you will get healthy soon - all my best wishes. Jens

[@gobonsai811]

It's a good looking tree, really love it! I Alway looking you working with interest... so much thing to learn. I hope you're fine now, I got it too and got it ruff... take care guys!

[@-ChrisD]

Nice work! David sir, you are quite amazing. That's going to be a very cool tree as time progresses. I really hope you feel better and get well soon. Drink lots of warm/hot liquids and get plenty of rest when possible! Take care.

[@mattbrennan647]

Your artistic talents are enviable. Quite a seasoned professional. Thanks, keep growing

[@tonyortega659]

David, Thank you for your demonstration with this specimen, I am a beginner in bonsai and I really enjoy your work.

[@TheTjappo]

Very inspirational.

[@TheOriginalDrastic]

This was very instructive, to see your process from beginning to end (well, understanding that there's more work to be done ahead). Thank you from a novice!

[@lalrinhluahnamte5722]

Super cool, geme a great idea

[@multipletanksyndrome]

This makes me want to repot my trees.

[@12345dyar]

As always you did amazing job. And thank you for sharing your work. I hope you got better. Stay safe and healthy.

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thank you yes I'm feeling a bit better

[@Steven3D8888]

Well done David, it's an incredible transformation when you compare it to the beginning of the video. Thanks for sharing this & have a nice day

[@mattbrennan647]

Amazing, wonderful, and beautiful transformation. It’s really set up well for its first growing season as a bonsai. Great work. Thanks, keep growing

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thanks it will improve over the first season and many more to come

[@Consciousnessbin]

Gorgeous!! Indeed a challenge it was. I’m making a semi cascade as well and this video inspired me so much. You’re the expert David! Thanks

[@hfestion.]

Great work

[@omguilford]

I work at a nursery. I'm going to look at some of our ugly ducklings quite differently from now on. Thanks!

[@arnoldmmbb]

Very unusual tree and species but great result!! I love it, get well soon David 💪

[@BonsaiSociety]

Thank you for caring I intend to be in top shape within the next few days

[@taksakabonsai5059]

Lovely transforming Sir, thanks for the technique, thanks for sharing🙏

[@janisgriffith2919]

That was an awesome transformation! Thank you so much.

[@PatriciaOConnorBonsaiBalcony]

That is a great looking Tree David. You are unstoppable!

[@davidfishwick5108]

Great video and love the final finish . Hope you feel better soon

[@jamesgavern2084]

Having a bit of trouble picturing the end result here, although I’m in love with the lines. Would love to see an update! Thanks for all your tutorials David. I always learn a lot.

[@BONSAIenCORTO]

Thanks.

[@arnoldmmbb]

hola jeje

[@bonsaibro]

Amazing work David. Thanks for sharing!

[@njoirae]

Hope you gonna give us some update to this tree when it flowers! Cheers :)

[@mohammadorwani8551]

Love you

[@alvarimcosta]

Hi David. Great work, as usual. It's amazing to see how you can see a beautiful tree hidden in a raw tree. Would you mind mentioning which cut paste you used on this tree?

[@BonsaiSociety]

It's a Japanese one. It just says 'cuto pasto' not too sure of the brand name

[@trudyanderson383]

always a please to watch David transform an ugly duckling into a possible swan. I look forward to seeing it leaf out.

[@kirliyapag1641]

Hello. Great job. What is the current state of the tree I wonder. Please make an update video.

[@pawelm5493]

That huge nebari is something unexpected and the funniest is how the 'hopeless' root bound was turned into a great asset on the fly. The strict vertical part of the cascade trunk is a bit concerning, maybe you could consider use of some special tool to slightly bend it, otherwise it could be shortened in the future, especially it is missing a taper a bit?

[@BonsaiSociety]

You have to work with what you have and the wood of that tree is very hard to bend (if not impossible)

[@Jojoie]

Hello Mr. Easterbrook, Thank you for the video. I recently acquired a smoke tree(the kind with purple leaves and pink flowers), and I also realized the challenge of this tree after I pruned it without knowing it sets buds for next year, and does not grow a second flush.. beautiful tree, thank you for the insight. I am curious, where do you get those great big rolls of bonsai wire? Thank you Joel

[@javierperez7476]

Outstanding job. Which material did you use on minute 30:35 after you cut the difficult branch ? Cheers.

[@Chris-oq6kn]

Nice job.! I love taking nursery stock and transforming it into something better. Do u put mycorrhizae in every type of bonsai when u repot them? Do u feel like it helps? Keep the videos coming

[@CarlosJay007]

How’s this tree looking like today?

[@mattbrennan647]

First and foremost post

[@kinleybailee3841]

𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘮 🤩

[@mymikeysbeefarm3606]

Like to see it now