Any Blue Oak bonsai? (Quercus douglasii)

justBonsai

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This winter I'm considering heading a hour or 2 down south to a large nursery that specializes in California native plants, especially oaks. I've taken an interest in oak trees and I'm trying to expand my current oak bonsai beyond the coast and cork varieties. From what I've seen blue oak is slow growing with easily reducible and small leaves. The color of the foliage is very pleasant too. I'm considering buying some 5 gallon trees to train as bonsai, but I was curious as to whether there are any member here with blue oak bonsai--and if so to share pictures.

Thanks!
Julian
 

PaulH

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I have several still in growing boxes that are coming along. I'll try to get some pictures later. One issue I've had with them is a tendency for branch die back when cut or wired.
A friend of mine has several really nice Blue Oaks that have been in local shows.
 

justBonsai

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I have several still in growing boxes that are coming along. I'll try to get some pictures later. One issue I've had with them is a tendency for branch die back when cut or wired.
A friend of mine has several really nice Blue Oaks that have been in local shows.
Please post pictures if you can. Do you know if you can treat these similar to coast live oaks? If I purchase younger stock I'll need to chop back to avoid a stovepipe trunk. Given the slow growth of these trees I'm guessing it's a good 5-10 year project at least from 1 gallon stock?
 

Potawatomi13

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I have several still in growing boxes that are coming along. I'll try to get some pictures later. One issue I've had with them is a tendency for branch die back when cut or wired.
A friend of mine has several really nice Blue Oaks that have been in local shows.

You're the oak man they talk about. I'm an oak fan too. Curious if your friend with show trees has this die back as you do? Is there a way to prevent? Would be most grateful for pics of your wonderful trees.;)
 

justBonsai

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As a fellow local I'm curious which nursery you're referring to. I'll be interested to see what you find!
The nursery is Las Pilitas in Escondido. Unfortunately I did not find time to visit as its a bit of a longer drive from my location.
 

robert gardner

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Sorry about the timing of this post, just came across it.
I now have three Pin Oak trees, a leather oak, one blue oak a Gary oak and a few more. These are all going to be Bonsai material.
All my Oaks are around 4 to 5 years old and around 4 to 10 inches tall. they all have great branching and wonderful movement in
their trunks.
I thinks that they will be a great exercise in creating Oak bonsai trees.
 
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