Eric creates an amazing bonsai forest! He demonstrates step-by-step how to make a forest in a long, narrow bonsai container using rocks, bare root Zelkova, muck, soil, and moss. It all begins with placing rocks into the pot.

00:01:10 Tying down largest rock with wire.

00:02:07 Eric preps some zelkova, cutting down roots.

00:03:17 Muck and soil used to secure 2 smaller rocks in place, then wire tie-down.

00:05:52 Continued tree selection and preparation.

00:06:44 Securing a clump of trees to each other with wire.

00:07:37 Trim and placement of larger tree before placing in container.

00:08:17 Another clump of trees wired in place to each other.

00:09:28 Smaller cluster wired.

00:10:53 Trimming another larger tree.

00:12:43 View from the back and adding soil.

00:13:12 Design decisions – placing trees.

00:14:07 Wiring trees into place in the container.

00:16:05 The composition is really coming together!

00:17:00 Trimming and styling the composition branch by branch.

00:20:42 Adding soil and moss.

00:22:45 WOW.

00:23:06 360 degree view.

Make your own forest from bare root zelkova! https://www.bonsaify.com/collections/pre-bonsai-trees/products/bare-root-2-year-old-zelkova-serrata
What do you think of this bonsai forest composition? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for watching! Please like and share, and subscribe!

24 Comments

  1. Are all the ones on the right going to grow a lot bigger than the left ones because of all the open root area?

  2. Goddamn, Eric. This is stunning. I can't wait to see this in the next growing season. I hope you feature this again next year.

    I do have another unrelated question in my ever-expanding database of knowledge inside my skull regarding all things bonsai as I'm still pretty new to all this. I've noticed a LOT of bonsai professionals have a strip of tape around one of the handles of their tools, why is that? I first noticed it in your videos and after that a mental note was made in my head and I started seeing it in other bonsai professional's videos as well, including Japanese masters in Japan. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation but I haven't been able to figure it out.

  3. Hopefully this little bit of cross channel advertisement doesn't bother you Eric, if it does please take my comment down. Another bonsai ASMR I really enjoy is the channel yamasibon KIWA. I have no affiliation with them, just enjoy their content and thought I would share.

  4. Magnificent. Was this done this time of year (mid-December 2022), and if so, how would you protect this during winter (unheated garage)? You are in San Francisco, CA, correct?

  5. What a stunning composition. I really enjoyed just watching you create it, but I'd also love to hear you talk through your thoughts/decisions in a future video.
    I doubt it will be long before this is looking very good indeed.
    Thanks for sharing your work.

  6. Missed your lovely voi0ce. Otherwise an interesting subject especially as I am planning an aspen one soon. Keep growing.xx

  7. You have created such a realistic artistic scene there, hats off to you for daring to be so bold 🙂

  8. Great composition Eric! I'm not big on forests, but you've inspired me to try one. Thx!

  9. Amazing work. The way everything highlights each other is awesome, the blue in the pot looks like a river flowing around the woods. Thank you for sharing!

  10. Nice video !!! Those flat round rock plugs are awesome we’re did you find those ? Thanks for the video keep them coming cheers

Write A Comment

Pin