Thanks for watching! There are a bunch of tool recommendations in the video description, ideal Christmas gifts ;) Your support is always appreciated. Also don't forget to check out the www.patreon.com/grobonsai if you'd like early access to vids and more! Thanks, Darren
I think you’ll have to accept what you can do now and chase the thicker branches back as the years go by. This year I am looking at a drastic cut back on a field elm that I rescued three or four years ago and air layered last year which was left on over the winter. It has thrived, good roots are growing and the canopy did really well this year but the branches are just too thick and three are growing out of one spot at the apex, an issue that I knew about when I collected the tree initially. It’s a very long term project tree for me, one that I am enjoying but it takes so long! That’s part of the game tho; you can’t rush it. If you grow for the summer and cut the chunky branches back in summer a bit more you will get somewhere but at the moment I think they are too uniformly thick. You’ll make it work tho, I have no doubt.
Yes please. You say talking doesn't come naturally to you but this video proves you can do it and you make an excellent job when it's done this way. So easy to understand and follow. I do hope you take this as positive feedback Darren.
Hi Darren, what can I say... I love the way you work on your trees and explain it. And on top of it! You are an absolute, total and somehow crazy bonsai freak! Please keep up the great work! Thanks once again! Best regards!
I still feel new to the hobby even after 6 years of watching different bonsai hobbyists/artists, partly as I haven't really started practicing things properly, like only dabbling with wiring, (still letting a lot of my pre-bonsai grow thicker and be healthy under my inexpert care), so you taking the time explain about wiring these two small branches was invaluable. Thank you Darren (Also love this style of video x)
Glad it helped Kate, thanks for watching. I'll do more vids like this, though talking and wiring at the same time is really taxing on my man-brain haha
I’m a long term survivor. Great video Darren 🙏 I’m definitely appreciating the lean to the right/left and would personally keep that as a front. And beautifully/dramatically lit and shot 👍
Nice talk through on this Darren. I definitely learned a lot through Mirai and love the techniques that Ryan demonstrates so well. I look forward to seeing you continue to work this one - especially the deadwood aspect / carving? Cheers :)
Hey Darren, great vid as always and nice work. That wiggly branch with no taper is definitely a problem. I'm sure you'll deal with it in due course. I think it depends on the species what method you use also. Something like your elm, crab apple or an oak you're taking the right approach as every inch it grows is precious. But something like a Japanese maple or a trident you can chop hard knowing it will flush again with vigour. Cheers for the great vids.
It’s not so much about the vigour or health concerns, and more about maintaining a tree image while developing and refining the branches. I’ll develop maples in a similar manner moving forward
@grobonsai I guess I mean during the growing season you know that a maple will always give you back that tree image in a couple of weeks. A crab apple may not even grow again that season so best to preserve what you have. Don't like to see wired maples, probably a personal thing. Guy wires are OK.
Trying to throw shade on T-Rex! All bodies are beautiful! It is interesting to see different bonsai growers preferring opposite styles, we get to choose what we like. You do you boo! Lovely informative video, thank you!
What a beauty! I like the lean, hopefully you can keep that as it develops. I’ve got a Chinese elm with some overly thick branches that needs some tough love too. I’ll be tackling that in Spring!
Nice work Darren. Ask Santa to bring you a Proxxon micro drill. I've had mine for over 30 years, used and abused (with the right bit) on car, greenhouse, garage, house, bonsai, bonsai pots, modelling, and electonics, probably more, and it still runs perfectly.
@@grobonsai does it have to have a front? Perhaps work on all sides equally to be enjoyed at all angles 😉 and if I'm honest.. there is a couple of bits I would have taken off for appearing to "strong" but I have no doubts in your ability to create some thing special with this tree 😁
considering the two main trunks like it is a concoet of double taper I would remove the branch on the lower apex that is going to the left cutting through the whole desing, or maybe i need more shots and detailed video
I dont like the tubular branch above the first branch you wired. It detracts the wonderful movement on that wired branch so I would cut it and develop the wired one to fill the space and gain more protagonism. That way you clear a but the trunk line and that are doesnt look overcrowed. Just my opinion. Wonderful bonsai ❤
Hi, it's very similar, but not an anderson flat. It's from a modular worm compost device, but wasn't as cheap as anderson flats would be (if we could get them!). It is this, perhaps you can find similar locally wormcity.co.uk/shop/wormcity-spare-parts/wormcity-composting-tray
@@grobonsai to be honest I was looking at that worm composting thing a while back and also realized that its very expensive thank you for confirming my thoughts
I would say the fatter branch on the lower left is out of proportion and should go. I think cutting it back, it would always look clunky if that makes sense?
There is no such thing as the best example of how to grow deciduous bonsai. There is an approach that best aligns with your goals and preferences. But that doesn’t make it objectively best, universally. Every approach has trade-offs.
@@grobonsai it's far too thick and straight for a bottom branch . There is another branch to fill in higher up to fill in. The struggle with taper and balance will continue until it's gone . When it's gone it's back bud from the wound which will be easier to grow a branch more in proportion,Just my opinion of course
Thanks for watching! There are a bunch of tool recommendations in the video description, ideal Christmas gifts ;) Your support is always appreciated. Also don't forget to check out the www.patreon.com/grobonsai if you'd like early access to vids and more! Thanks, Darren
I think you’ll have to accept what you can do now and chase the thicker branches back as the years go by. This year I am looking at a drastic cut back on a field elm that I rescued three or four years ago and air layered last year which was left on over the winter. It has thrived, good roots are growing and the canopy did really well this year but the branches are just too thick and three are growing out of one spot at the apex, an issue that I knew about when I collected the tree initially. It’s a very long term project tree for me, one that I am enjoying but it takes so long! That’s part of the game tho; you can’t rush it. If you grow for the summer and cut the chunky branches back in summer a bit more you will get somewhere but at the moment I think they are too uniformly thick. You’ll make it work tho, I have no doubt.
I like this style of video from you. No voiceover. Just you, your tree, doing your thing and talking us through it as you go.
I'll be doing more vids like this I think, but it really tires me out, talking doesn't come naturally to me haha Thanks for watching
Yes please.
You say talking doesn't come naturally to you but this video proves you can do it and you make an excellent job when it's done this way. So easy to understand and follow. I do hope you take this as positive feedback Darren.
Hi Darren,
what can I say...
I love the way you work on your trees and explain it.
And on top of it! You are an absolute, total and somehow crazy bonsai freak!
Please keep up the great work!
Thanks once again!
Best regards!
Thanks haha
Great video Darren. You talk through everything with reasoning and the tree looks like its going to be fantastic with the pruning and wiring.
So nice of you thanks
I still feel new to the hobby even after 6 years of watching different bonsai hobbyists/artists, partly as I haven't really started practicing things properly, like only dabbling with wiring, (still letting a lot of my pre-bonsai grow thicker and be healthy under my inexpert care), so you taking the time explain about wiring these two small branches was invaluable. Thank you Darren
(Also love this style of video x)
Glad it helped Kate, thanks for watching. I'll do more vids like this, though talking and wiring at the same time is really taxing on my man-brain haha
@@grobonsai 😆 - and the tip about cutting inward when cleaning a wound I'd never heard before!
Good to know this stuff is useful, thankks again Kate!
I’m a long term survivor. Great video Darren 🙏
I’m definitely appreciating the lean to the right/left and would personally keep that as a front.
And beautifully/dramatically lit and shot 👍
I’m not sure if I will survive long term! Haha
Nice talk through on this Darren. I definitely learned a lot through Mirai and love the techniques that Ryan demonstrates so well. I look forward to seeing you continue to work this one - especially the deadwood aspect / carving? Cheers :)
Cheers mate, flip I forgot about your project, will have something to send at the weekend
@@grobonsai Cheers Darren.
Amazing tree. That had to be fun to work on! Thanks for posting! Love your videos! Your a legend
Thanks yeah it’s very obliging. Not completely happy with how I left it but so much to do it’s good enough until next time
Great tree . Broom style always reminds me of trees in nature. Thanks and cheers from Ojai California
Thanks, yes I agree, definitely the most natural for deciduous
Your video never ceased to amaze us! Fantastic!
Thank you 😊
Hey Darren, great vid as always and nice work. That wiggly branch with no taper is definitely a problem. I'm sure you'll deal with it in due course. I think it depends on the species what method you use also. Something like your elm, crab apple or an oak you're taking the right approach as every inch it grows is precious. But something like a Japanese maple or a trident you can chop hard knowing it will flush again with vigour. Cheers for the great vids.
It’s not so much about the vigour or health concerns, and more about maintaining a tree image while developing and refining the branches. I’ll develop maples in a similar manner moving forward
@grobonsai I guess I mean during the growing season you know that a maple will always give you back that tree image in a couple of weeks. A crab apple may not even grow again that season so best to preserve what you have. Don't like to see wired maples, probably a personal thing. Guy wires are OK.
Amazing work and the detail is incredible
Thank you so much 😀
Nice work Darren! I wire, grow, clip (and repeat) and usually from the inside out.
Ah I see, nice
I’m diggin what you’re doing with this tree, Darren
Thanks brother!
You explain the process really well. TY
Thanks for the kind words
Trying to throw shade on T-Rex! All bodies are beautiful! It is interesting to see different bonsai growers preferring opposite styles, we get to choose what we like. You do you boo! Lovely informative video, thank you!
hehehe apologies for the body shaming
What a beauty! I like the lean, hopefully you can keep that as it develops. I’ve got a Chinese elm with some overly thick branches that needs some tough love too. I’ll be tackling that in Spring!
Yeah I do think this is the best view all things considered- have fun with yours!
Nice work Darren. Ask Santa to bring you a Proxxon micro drill. I've had mine for over 30 years, used and abused (with the right bit) on car, greenhouse, garage, house, bonsai, bonsai pots, modelling, and electonics, probably more, and it still runs perfectly.
Thanks Al I’ll look into it!!
Fantastic tree and looking much nicer 😀
Thanks, still not convinced on the front, or branch selection
@@grobonsai does it have to have a front? Perhaps work on all sides equally to be enjoyed at all angles 😉 and if I'm honest.. there is a couple of bits I would have taken off for appearing to "strong" but I have no doubts in your ability to create some thing special with this tree 😁
Man, I need to get one of those saws. Looking good!
I call it 'the steak knife' :D
Nice tree, that’s gonna be a show stopper
Hope so! Time will tell - thanks
Lovely tree man!
It's like having a chat with another tree nerd, just talking about making our little trees look better.
If we mess up well there's always next year.
Great to hear, thanks! Tree nerds is what we are!
Personally i love the lean, it makes the tree feel older, more establish, like its survived decades of storms on a windy hill.
Yes I agree, the other view had nice taper but just lacked something
considering the two main trunks like it is a concoet of double taper I would remove the branch on the lower apex that is going to the left cutting through the whole desing, or maybe i need more shots and detailed video
Keep going really good!
Cheers Boafe!
I love gnarly decidous
I dont like the tubular branch above the first branch you wired. It detracts the wonderful movement on that wired branch so I would cut it and develop the wired one to fill the space and gain more protagonism. That way you clear a but the trunk line and that are doesnt look overcrowed. Just my opinion. Wonderful bonsai ❤
Yeah I agree, it will be cut back for taper or removed in time. Thanks
hey Darren, hope you are doing well...any update on how the tree looks today?
Probably late autumn / early winter
11:20 Bro. That is a front if I've ever seen a front.
Great tree and very good edits to the video.
Btw is it in an anderson flat ? Where can you buy that in Europe?😊
Hi, it's very similar, but not an anderson flat. It's from a modular worm compost device, but wasn't as cheap as anderson flats would be (if we could get them!). It is this, perhaps you can find similar locally wormcity.co.uk/shop/wormcity-spare-parts/wormcity-composting-tray
@@grobonsai to be honest I was looking at that worm composting thing a while back and also realized that its very expensive
thank you for confirming my thoughts
0:43 As you can see: bush! -- It is a bit, isn't it
😀😁😁
I think the lower branch you wired is a much better branch than the thick one above it
I’ve been in denial but I’m starting to see the light and agree, thank you
@grobonsai no problem. Sometimes, you just need a new set of eyes
im a wire and grow then clip and grow and wire and grow repeat
I would say the fatter branch on the lower left is out of proportion and should go. I think cutting it back, it would always look clunky if that makes sense?
Yeah I see what you mean, thanks
👍👌
I'd probably get rid of that thick low branch, it is a bit out of proportion for that tree
Starting to see the same way, it's not a great branch and not exactly needed with plenty of others nearby
Ryan Neil is probably not the best example of how to grow deciduous material.
There is no such thing as the best example of how to grow deciduous bonsai. There is an approach that best aligns with your goals and preferences. But that doesn’t make it objectively best, universally. Every approach has trade-offs.
That thick branch on the left has got to go it's awfull . I rarely comment ,there is a nice tree in there. Good luck with it
what is it that you dislike about the branch?
@@grobonsai it's far too thick and straight for a bottom branch . There is another branch to fill in higher up to fill in. The struggle with taper and balance will continue until it's gone . When it's gone it's back bud from the wound which will be easier to grow a branch more in proportion,Just my opinion of course
Cant stand it...please lose the thick side branche. Its placing the whole tree off!!
Don’t worry, something will be done, either cut back to secondaries or removal. For now it can stay though I’m afraid 😁
Who cares what the tree looks like when it’s in a grow box…? Cut back hard for appropriate branches let it grow and cut back hard over and over
The thing I love about bonsai is that it shows that life is not binary, there are always options, each with different features.