Thuja Bonsai: Styling My First Cutting After 8 Years of Growth (Eastern white cedar)

Eight years ago, I took my very first cutting — and it happened to be a Thuja occidentalis. I planted it in the ground, gave it movement, pruned and prepared it as a pre-bonsai, and today it finally takes its first steps toward becoming a true bonsai. In this video, I’ll walk you through the first styling: from carving deadwood and creating jins, to wiring, pad formation, and refining the trunk line. Along the way, I’ll also share fascinating facts about Thuja — from its botanical traits to its cultural and historical significance, including the legendary Witch Tree on Lake Superior. The design is now in place, but the front may still evolve as the tree matures. This is only the beginning of its bonsai journey, and I hope you’ll follow along as it develops over the coming years. If you enjoy the video, please like, subscribe, and share — it really helps me continue bringing you more bonsai stories. 🌿 #bonsai #thujabonsai #bonsaistyling #bonsailab #bonsaijourney