Shumard oak double trunk

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So this thread will be on the progress of my Shumard oak

Local nursery had this Shumard oak that was looking pretty sorry. They go for about $50. Manager said it just needed love, but people want green trees. It was mine for $5 (7/19)

It was about 8’ tall. Chopped it down to 3’. I now realize I should’ve gone more, but oh well
 

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Leaves got more and more crisp. Finally, I noticed it started to push some buds (8/6)
 

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Now today, here’s how it looks. I’ll get more fertilizer going to push more growth before fall gets here

Maybe late winter, I’ll give it a final chop to set the height

This should end up being a really nice bonsai
 

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Update. Chopped 12”+ off each side. Left it a few inches longer in case of severe dieback since I’m not sure how it’ll react. I don’t think I got much dieback before. You can see shoots a few inches below the cut in the first image. If they do the same again, I think I’ll be set

I think it’ll be best to let it be the next few yrs depending
 

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Potawatomi13

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A suggestion please. After growth 2022 cut back left part to 1st major branch, right part to 2nd main branch to get trunks growing away from eachother;). As useful twigs grow wire while young and thin. Saves work later.
 
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A suggestion please. After growth 2022 cut back left part to 1st major branch, right part to 2nd main branch to get trunks growing away from eachother;). As useful twigs grow wire while young and thin. Saves work later.
Are you suggesting to use THOSE branches to then splay the crown?

I would like to keep the twin trunk look , or is a tall twin more for pines and oaks will be more squat?

I thought I had a reference pic, but I guess I didn’t. I’ll post it if I find it
 

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Potawatomi13

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Are you suggesting to use THOSE branches to then splay the crown?
Perhaps. Image posted not appealing. Less straight trunks, more room for developing branches between them. Too straight trunks on oaks boring personally😝.
 
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Looking pretty good!

I’m pondering cutting off all the thicker limbs early winter. They just look out of place and I don’t think they look good. I’ll just regrow all the limbs “new” and go from there. I think it’ll make for a better clean slate
 

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