Oak: to repot, or not repot

[legoman_iac]

So this is my question, to fellow Oak-ers ... should I (a) repot into the accompanying oval pot, (b) slip pot into a grow pot or (c) leave these 4 yr old saplings alone until next year?

They are actually two trees, planted from acorn few years back. Have twisted them them into one. I did repot last year, and as you can see, roots are out the bottom. Was panning to do this weeks back but ran out of soil and only just got some more this week. The tree couldn't wait and despite being just naked, and bare with buds two weeks back have exploded into leaf.

I feel the roots could do with a slight trim, however believe Oaks should be re-potted BEFORE buds burst? Keen to hear what the brains trust say.

20210903_oak_to_repot_lowres.jpg

[Akhi]

Don’t you think the trunk size is too thin that it should be planted in the ground?

[legoman_iac]

Hey Akhi,

Yes, is a bit on the thin side ... though don't really have a spot to plant it in the ground. This is why I was thinking of a large grow pot.

Will have a good look and think around the yard, just most of it is already developed. Thanks for the food for thought!

- Daniel

[Promethius]

I have had a good experience with a couple of oaks that I abandoned in a small pot for a few years - as long as they get plenty of sun, they seem happy enough and thicken up quite nicely. Gave them away, which I’ve always regretted.

It may not necessarily as good as growth in the ground, but if you have the same space constraints that I do, a somewhat larger pot might work well.
Doesn’t need to be a massive pot, either.

Let us know how it goes!

[melbrackstone]

Or those pots sitting in a deeper wider pot, the roots can grow into the big pot, but you can lift the smaller pots easily to root prune if and when needed.

[legoman_iac]

Both good ideas. So either way, ground or bigger pot, not too late on the season to move it? I'll try not to disturb the roots much.

[shibui]

If you are not cutting roots you can transplant any time of year. Best to 'tickle' the outside roots so new roots will go out into the new soil. I usually do a little more than 'tickle' and cut any circling roots - provided it does not look like the main root.

[legoman_iac]

Hahaha, never heard the term "tickle the roots" before, but I have teased then before. Good to know, anytime is safe, thanks Neil!