Large collected ca live oak
I have 'saved' a large CA live Oak from a trash pile: the tree was kept in a 24" box, maybe longer than a decade and left for dead. The tap root(s) have circumvented the perimeter of the square container and left me with a square root ball that is 'fortified' by large lignified roots.
The tree has put on healthy, almost vigorous new growth this season despite drought conditions and no care
I raked out some of the dry, old clay soil from the exterior - no live feeder roots found. I've set the tree in a kiddie pool for the last week, where it's been soaking the bottom 6" of it's massive root ball.
I live in Santa Cruz; winters are mild with brief 28F cold snaps in Feb.
Here's the question for the Oak Pro's, should I:
1. repot the tree as is, in a huge container - leaving the root ball as in it's compacted soil and wait for spring to work roots
Or
2. Defoliate and remove 1/3 root mass from bottom of root ball
Days are warm 55-80 with cool nights 55-65, the tree will get dappled light and have protection from sun and wind. The tree will likely have 4 months before any chance of freezing weather.
I have no idea how Coastal Live Oak responds to heavy root pruning, nor do I know the annual schedule of their root growth...
Am I drowning the Oak by letting the bottom soak in standing water, where the feeder roots are likely to be? I'm planning to remove from standing water this weekend.
Thanks in advance.
AFRAME