Oak in Training

[bonsai barry]

I bought this oak a couple of years ago. On the positive side it has a very mature looking trunk. On the negative, there are some very straight sections which I hope to hide as the tree fills in. It is a fast grower. It will probably be two repots before it will fit into a respectable pot.

Comments?

 

[Zach Smith]

I like this tree. It looks like it might work as a "live oak style" specimen. Is that along the lines of what you're planning?

Zach

 

[rich415]

The trunk is very nice but those longer branches need to be cut back hard. These trees back bud very easily and now is the time to do it. Also, I am faily successful using guy wires on this species.

Great starter material. Good luck!

Rch

 

[Dwight]

Barry , where did you get this guy ? The trunk is really nice.

 

[JudyB]

Nice trunk Barry, but you gotta bite that bullet, or you'll never love this tree. You'll always know what is hiding in there...
Fast grower, you'll only be out a couple years. Otherwise, down the road, you'll have to remove far more years of work to right the problem.
cmon, you know it!

 

[daygan]

Definitely looks like a tree with potential!

 

[edprocoat]

I like the tree! It looks very natural to me. Is that flowers growing on the left side? I did not know oaks grew flowers, i guess they would have to to produce acorns, but I have never noticed them before, or maybe I have seen them and not paid any attention to them. Anyway, I think it looks great just teh way it is, I bet when you get the roots down enough to get it in a Bonsai pot it will be spectacular.

ed

 

[bonsai barry]

I like the tree! It looks very natural to me. Is that flowers growing on the left side? I did not know oaks grew flowers, i guess they would have to to produce acorns, but I have never noticed them before, or maybe I have seen them and not paid any attention to them. Anyway, I think it looks great just teh way it is, I bet when you get the roots down enough to get it in a Bonsai pot it will be spectacular.

ed

Good observation on the flowers, Ed, however they didn't come with the oak. They are some Cymbidium orchids growing next to the oak.

 

[bonsai barry]

Nice trunk Barry, but you gotta bite that bullet, or you'll never love this tree. You'll always know what is hiding in there...
Fast grower, you'll only be out a couple years. Otherwise, down the road, you'll have to remove far more years of work to right the problem.
cmon, you know it!

Normally I'd agree with you, Judy, but in this case I'm not so sure for two reasons. First the longer branches hide some very straight parts of the trunk (and handlebar branches. Second, oak trees often have larger branches within their canopy.

On the other other hand, as Rich mentioned, these trees sprout branches easily. I will also be changing the planting angle next time I repot. So I am giving the long branches one more season before I make a decision.

 

[bonsai barry]

Barry , where did you get this guy ? The trunk is really nice.

I got this at a landscape nursery for a bargain price!

 

[JudyB]

I think that's a good plan, not to cut till you're sure. I do that same thing a lot.
Tipping to the left for the new planting angle? I can see that helping...
Let us know what happens!

 

[daygan]

Barry, do you know what species of oak this is? What guidelines do you follow for repotting it? Do you repot when you see leaf bud extension, or when leaves are starting to unfurl, or sometime before or after those phases?

 

[Mac In Oak Ridge]

What kind of oak is it?

 

[bonsai barry]

Barry, do you know what species of oak this is? What guidelines do you follow for repotting it? Do you repot when you see leaf bud extension, or when leaves are starting to unfurl, or sometime before or after those phases?

I believe this is a coastal live oak (Quercus agrifolia). I hesitate to give any advice since I don't have too much experience with these trees. I repot this tree in the early spring before the new leaves have unfurled, March, but I live in a very mild climate so the repotting timetable is pretty flexible.

 

[daygan]

Thanks, Barry. I ask mostly because I'm trying to get information from as many people as possible about their personal experiences with repotting and collecting various species of oaks.

 

[gergwebber]

has anyone noticed that the classic "valley oak" form has no real bonsai counterpart? these oaks will have very long straight lines mixed with the gnarly downward sweeps and great limbs.
maybe try to use the straight parts.... or get a branch bending jig.

 

[Ang3lfir3]

@gerg -- I think what you are referring to is what is most commonly called "live oak" style..... its a very american style so doesn't get a fancy japanese name .... it's closest japanese counter part would be octopus style (I'm reaching here)