Ok, so I found Pierre the Nobleman and managed to get him to tell me a number of things:
He needs a rare Oak bonsai
That to find one I have to be one with nature.
But then I get stuck. No matter what words I say, he only responds to me saying nature to which he responds: Do I look like a naturalist? Then when I say naturalist, he responds with: Maybe you should try finding a druid? Then I say druid, and he responds with: I hear they're really into this nature thing. Maybe one could help you?
Does it need to be this much of a pain to do an event quest?