Little oak

Pickwick · White Belt Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Hi

I have a little oak tree which was found in an awkward spot in my vegetable garden. Since I couldn't leave it there I thought I might have a go at creating a bonsai, but I am immediately faced with several problems. First, I don't know the first thing about it and don't find books very helpful. They never answer the exact question.

The top 50% of the plant (everything above the large leaves which were there when I dug it up) has grown in the last 7 - 10 days. It is now 7" in height. But a couple of books say that I shouldn't do anything to a young plant in its first year. Should I let it find its own height, or remove the tip?

If I remove the large lower leaves it would have a more "tree-like" look, but would that be the right approach?

I would very much like the benefit of your expertise and would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions.

Regards

imholte · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: Little oak

Let it grow freely for a few years to get the trunk larger, then you can cut it back and start growing branches and working on taper. From a seedling your looking at anywhere from 5-10 years to get something workable. You might want to go buy something that is farther along.

don · Yellow Belt Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 166 Location: Devon

Hi Pickwick

I have 4 Oak trees of various sizes. Stick with it and if you do have to move it put it in a big washing up bowl with some holes in the bottom for drainage. Just let it grow for a while Very Happy

Dick · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:59 am Post subject: Re: Little oak

Hi Pickwick,

Welcome to the forum.

One curious not about oaks is that the types with the larger leaves have a hard time getting the leaves to grow on a smaller scale. So you have to have a larger sized tree in order for the tree to look right. There are small leafed oaks that can be adapted for bonsai, espcially the variety known as "quercus suber."