Oak #1 (~ Daygan)

[daygan]

So, winter is when I start to get a bit bored, as there's not much progress to note in my trees. While I'm waiting for March, here's a simple sketch I did of the direction I'm currently considering for this tree:

 

[gergwebber]

I hope you can read this!?!?!?!
http://www.bssf.org/articles-and-stories/august-general-meeting-2/

http://www.snowcrest.net/windowboxnursery/articles/jt.htm


otherwise search for "John Thompson bonsai"

(if you haven't already.) like the virt!

 

[daygan]

I can read it! good info - thanks, Greg!

 

[milehigh_7]

Ed, I'm really not sure what kind of oak it is, but I think I've narrowed it down to either a Quercus serrata or a Quercus fabri, both of which are supposed to grow natively in Zhe Jiang, where I collected it. It's really hard for me to sort through all the identifying characteristics for each species and come up with one that fits perfectly with what I observe on this tree. I really need a professional to help me identify it.

edit: Quercus aliena is also a possibility..

With oaks you need to look at leaf, bark and especially acorn. The latter will give you the best info on species.

 

[daygan]

With oaks you need to look at leaf, bark and especially acorn. The latter will give you the best info on species.

Cool. Thanks, milehigh. I'll see if I can find any acorns from the local oaks when I'm back in zhejiang and see if I can determine any distinguishing characteristics...

 

[daygan]

Today, in preparation for spring growth, I pruned the branches on this tree back to only branches that I might potentially use in the final design. Due to time constraints, I didn't chop back the two main trunks. I'll do that next time I travel south to this tree's "home". Below are before/after pictures:

 

[JudyB]

Such a good base here. I think I would chop back the lower trunk pretty hard.

 

[Poink88]

Such a good base here. I think I would chop back the lower trunk pretty hard.

I agree...maybe even consider removing it altogether?

 

[daygan]

Thanks for those good ideas, Judy and Dario. At this point, I'm not ready to commit to chopping that lower branch entirely, although I can see that as an option. I'm oscillating between bringing it back really short or leaving it a bit longer - as you can see, I've left branchlets that could potentially be leaders all along the length of that branch. So many options! I'm finding that it's difficult to make choices that involve burning bridges...

 

[JudyB]

I'm finding that it's difficult to make choices that involve burning bridges...

Hardest part of bonsai, this...
I've learned that making those hard choices is the only way forward.

 

[daygan]

I took a short trip south last week to visit my trees down there, and while I was there I took the time to repot this oak. Yes, contrary to conventional wisdom, I'm doing this one after leaf-out, as I'm seeing evidence that some species of oak, including this one, do better with root work after leaf out. Here are some photos of the process:

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[Paulpash]

The problem I see it at the moment is the lower (and therefore younger / subordinate) trunk is thicker than the main trunk and that both trunks have little taper - chops will be needed somewhere!!. You could carve and reduce the visual weight of it while developing the upper trunk. I like your virt apart from the fact that the lower trunk apex is higher than the main ... the flow of the tree is to the right .. this should be continued rather than halted from the high vertical apex of the lower trunk.

 

[Paradox]

Very interesting looking trunk there. Look forward to see how you develop it.