Scarlet Oak for Bonsai?

Forum for discussion of Deciduous bonsai – Maples, Crabapple, Hornbeam, Elm species etc.
Post Reply
User avatar
Redwood Man
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 10
Joined: March 4th, 2012, 8:13 am
Favorite Species: Coast Redwood, Douglas fir, Swamp Cypress
Bonsai Age: 2
Location: Montrose, Melbourne

Scarlet Oak for Bonsai?

Post by Redwood Man »

Hi there guys,

I recently pick up a young scarlet oak about 40cm tall in a 10inch pot,

I was wondering what your thoughts might be on turning this tree into a Bonsai? Anyone had much luck with oak bonsai?

My main worry is that the tap root will limit its bonsai capability.

Any opinions/help much appreciated

Cheers Redwood Man
User avatar
kcpoole
Perpetual Learner
Perpetual Learner
Posts: 12289
Joined: November 12th, 2008, 4:02 pm
Favorite Species: Maple
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: the School Of Bonsai
Location: Western Sydney, NSW, Australia
Has thanked: 18 times
Been thanked: 94 times
Contact:

Re: Scarlet Oak for Bonsai?

Post by kcpoole »

Tap root is no problem, just cut it off. :lol:

Oak are very nice as bonsai and some species better than others.
I have English Oak - Quercus robur and they are wonderful, Grow well, take wire well and leaves reduce OK . Not much colour in Sydney tho.
Also have Pin Oak - Quercus palustris. Leaves do not reduce and once the branches set, they are hard too keep bent. Autumn colour is magic tho :-)

Ken
Check out our Wiki for awesome bonsai information www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
User avatar
Mojo Moyogi
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1656
Joined: May 5th, 2009, 11:26 am
Favorite Species: Maple, Elm, Hornbeam, Pine, Larch and Cedar
Bonsai Age: 22
Bonsai Club: Yarra Valley Bonsai Society
Location: Yarra Ranges, VIC
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Scarlet Oak for Bonsai?

Post by Mojo Moyogi »

Redwood Man wrote:Hi there guys,

I recently pick up a young scarlet oak about 40cm tall in a 10inch pot,

I was wondering what your thoughts might be on turning this tree into a Bonsai? Anyone had much luck with oak bonsai?

My main worry is that the tap root will limit its bonsai capability.

Any opinions/help much appreciated

Cheers Redwood Man

With such large leaves and coarse twigs, I wouldn't bother with them.

Cheers,
Mojo
...Might as well face it, I'm addicted to Shohin...

"Any creative work can be roughly broken down into three components- design, technique and materials. Good design can carry poor technique and materials but no amount of expertise and beautiful materials can save poor design". Andrew McPherson - Furniture designer and artist
Post Reply

Return to “Deciduous”