Oak in danger

Forum for discussion of Deciduous bonsai – Maples, Crabapple, Hornbeam, Elm species etc.
Post Reply
gin_boon
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 25
Joined: May 26th, 2013, 8:26 pm
Favorite Species: Fig
Bonsai Age: 12
Bonsai Club: None
Location: Adelaide

Oak in danger

Post by gin_boon »

Hallo,
Trim my Turkish Oak bonsai earlier this week. It had Just started to get leaves. It was very pot bound, so ended up cutting 80% of the roots...
Now wilted and leaves starting to brown. Also switched to mainly inorganic soil and put in some osmocote.
Being watered sifficiently.
Can anything else help?
Thanks
Ginny

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
robb63
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 295
Joined: May 19th, 2016, 12:11 am
Favorite Species: figs & junipers
Bonsai Age: 4
Location: sydney
Been thanked: 11 times

Re: Oak in danger

Post by robb63 »

Hi Ginny
When trimming that much off the root mass most folks do it some time after leaf drop in autumn.
Personally I have killed more than one deciduous tree by waiting too late into spring so try to get in early now
From your description of what you have done thus far, well :lost:
I would keep the soil damp, not wet and leave it in a shady spot out of direct sun
Then maybe say a prey if so inclined.
Next time around do the root cut/repot just before the tree leafs out, when buds are swelling preferably or before that
Hope others have better news for you :palm:
shibui
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 7669
Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
Favorite Species: trident maple
Bonsai Age: 41
Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
Location: Yackandandah
Has thanked: 66 times
Been thanked: 1415 times
Contact:

Re: Oak in danger

Post by shibui »

I think that oaks don't like having too much cut off the roots at one time - Less than 50% is probably safer.
Thy are resilient so hopefully it will survive but from my experiences you may have some parts die and it may take a few years to start growing strong again.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
treeman
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2838
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 4:47 pm
Favorite Species: any
Bonsai Age: 25
Location: melbourne
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 574 times

Re: Oak in danger

Post by treeman »

gin_boon wrote:Hallo,
Trim my Turkish Oak bonsai earlier this week. It had Just started to get leaves. It was very pot bound, so ended up cutting 80% of the roots...
Now wilted and leaves starting to brown. Also switched to mainly inorganic soil and put in some osmocote.
Being watered sifficiently.
Can anything else help?
Thanks
Ginny

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Oaks should be treated like pines. Your tree sounds like it's dead.
Mike
User avatar
Matthew
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1842
Joined: March 8th, 2009, 11:58 am
Favorite Species: pines and maples
Bonsai Age: 17
Bonsai Club: none
Location: the hills NE victoria
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 179 times

Re: Oak in danger

Post by Matthew »

treeman wrote:
gin_boon wrote:Hallo,
Trim my Turkish Oak bonsai earlier this week. It had Just started to get leaves. It was very pot bound, so ended up cutting 80% of the roots...
Now wilted and leaves starting to brown. Also switched to mainly inorganic soil and put in some osmocote.
Being watered sifficiently.
Can anything else help?
Thanks
Ginny

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Oaks should be treated like pines. Your tree sounds like it's dead.
Mike proberly is right . Get it into just filtered light , keep it somewhat moist but no soggern and see if time is one your side . It may rebud and if its still green under bark theres a chance , if not its done and a lesson learnt . We have all killed a bonsai or two :whistle:
gin_boon
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 25
Joined: May 26th, 2013, 8:26 pm
Favorite Species: Fig
Bonsai Age: 12
Bonsai Club: None
Location: Adelaide

Re: Oak in danger

Post by gin_boon »

Well, we will now have to wait and see. The slow deaths are the worst.

Though I did find this article, so have placed him in water.

http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATquer ... otting.htm

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
KIRKY
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1969
Joined: May 21st, 2009, 3:42 pm
Favorite Species: Flowering
Bonsai Age: 12
Bonsai Club: BSV
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 1167 times
Been thanked: 246 times

Re: Oak in danger

Post by KIRKY »

The example you posted is of a tree in full leaf collected out of season. It’s treatment will be different to what your tree requires.
Removing 80% wow! That’s a lot for an Oak, your tree is currently under a lot of stress. Oaks like Pines have a symbiotic relationship with the microbes in the soil and the roots removing so much may well kill this tree.
If there are no leaves on your tree I would not sit it in water. You need leaves before the roots will draw on the water. If you have no leaves you run the risk of drowning the little roots you have left. You are better to sit the tree in semi shade and water with Seasol to encourage root growth, watering only when required, you must allow it to dry out a bit before watering again, don’t over water. Too many stressed Bonsai are killed due to, too much after care. Over watering, too much shade, over feeding. A stressed tree needs care but in moderation, not extremes, better to resist over kill and give it a chance to recover. Good luck.
Cheers
Kirky
Great oaks from little acorns grow.
gin_boon
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 25
Joined: May 26th, 2013, 8:26 pm
Favorite Species: Fig
Bonsai Age: 12
Bonsai Club: None
Location: Adelaide

Re: Oak in danger

Post by gin_boon »

Thanks Kirky, he has wilted green leaves, but I've left him for a week so may return to a read tree. Given trees rely on microbes and fungus in soil, does transferring to inorganic soil type impede this?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
gin_boon
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 25
Joined: May 26th, 2013, 8:26 pm
Favorite Species: Fig
Bonsai Age: 12
Bonsai Club: None
Location: Adelaide

Re: Oak in danger

Post by gin_boon »

Good news, the oak survived and is thriving. Bad news, my maple just does not seem to be bursting into leaf, only one leaf but doesn't look dead. Any suggestions?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
KIRKY
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1969
Joined: May 21st, 2009, 3:42 pm
Favorite Species: Flowering
Bonsai Age: 12
Bonsai Club: BSV
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 1167 times
Been thanked: 246 times

Re: Oak in danger

Post by KIRKY »

A photo of your Maple would help. But I would say if only one leaf at this time of year it will probably die. Could be a fungus hard to say without more information.
Cheers
Kirky
Great oaks from little acorns grow.
Max
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 587
Joined: April 14th, 2016, 2:05 pm
Favorite Species: all
Bonsai Age: 3
Bonsai Club: grow chop snip
Location: Taree
Has thanked: 34 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: Oak in danger

Post by Max »

no sun, hide it away under the bush with no light
gin_boon
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 25
Joined: May 26th, 2013, 8:26 pm
Favorite Species: Fig
Bonsai Age: 12
Bonsai Club: None
Location: Adelaide

Re: Oak in danger

Post by gin_boon »

Not sure I understand

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Post Reply

Return to “Deciduous”