Have you ever wondered about the work that goes on behind the scenes of the bonsai collection? Museum Specialist Michael James explains the process of repotting this Coast Live Oak (Quercus argifolia) – "This was the first time that we repotted this tree since it arrived at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in the autumn of 2016. The donor, Alan Nelson, had repotted it last in 2014. During the 2017 growing season, Museum staff and volunteers allowed the tree to adapt to the Washington, D.C. climate while balancing its growth. It takes about three to four people to lift the tree so we used a mechanical lift to raise the tree high enough to pull the pot out from under it. You never know what you will find when repotting a tree for the first time–we were pleased to see a very well-maintained and fibrous root system. Alan obviously worked hard to reduce the roots of this Santa Barbara Yamadori. After inspecting the soil and pruning off about a third of the root system, the tree was placed back into the container with a layer of pumice for drainage and aeration. The old soil was changed out for a mixture of 50% akadama, 25% pumice, and 25% lava."