Gambel oak progression

[aml1014]

Hey guys, just wanted to show the progression of my little gambel oak. So far it's a short progression, but the little guy has changed a good amount.

I bought this oak on may 1st, 2015. I did the initial reduction the next day.
I let it grow mostly last year because in june I had a tragedy strike which I still have no clue what caused it. One evening the tree was fine, the next morning half the tree was sulking, and after a few days dropped all of those leaves.

This spring I went ahead and repotted it into a large training pot, and I finally got some back budding on the long straight portions so I cut back the tall trunk. The current tallest trunk will be reduced to the low budd you see in the pic once it gains some strength.
current height is about 10" and trunk diameter is 1.5", I'm going to let it bulk up some in the pot and hopefully have a "finished" size of 10-12" in a few years.
Let me know what you think!
Thanks

Aaron

 

[Potawatomi13]

Tallest remaining trunk too straight. Would suggest removing and letting forward pointing bud at main fork take its place. Oaks naturally have lots of movement and bends in branches and as early as possible should be making these bends as these get hard and stiff very quickly. Would also add that you consider developing bigger tree as most non Live Oaks have fair sized leaves. Perhaps at least 2 to2 1/2 foot tree. Personally developing 6 or 7 young oaks in present collection. Q rubra, Q kelloggii, Q garryana and Q bicolor.

 

[aml1014]

Took the top off of this one today down to the lowest branch, I also shortened the right side branch and wired the left branch down.

Before cutback
After cutback and one piece of wire.
And a birds eye view.
This tree currently stands about 7" tall.
Let's hear your thoughts on this future shohin oak.

Aaron

 

[aml1014]

Another year later and this baby might be ready for some wiring here pretty shortly.
I didn't repot this year and it definitely is happy about that. I might leave it in this pot another 2 or 3 years to develop before moving down container sizes.

Aaron