LAST CHANCE OAK..Querus Robur

[bodhidharma]

I inherited this Oak which was a recipient of a bad styling job a few years ago and have tried to rectify the problems. The trunk is worthwhile but the branching sucks. I have changed the viewing angle and cut back hard but have done this before to no avail. A couple of questions which i cannot answer, i treat this much the same as my other Bonsai but cannot get good backbudding or reduced leaf size. Is it because it is an old trunk and is slowing its production of branches Anybody having success with Querus I have not worked enough with these guy's yet to figure it out. The next step will be to strip all the branching and start again , which is tempting. Any info is good info.
Regards,
Bodhi

[shibui]

Hi bodhi,
I'm having similar issues with my old oak. Attempted to layer the top of a trunk off last year - plenty of callus but no roots and is now removed as a giant cutting under mist. Then shortened all remaining branches but only got a few buds and all in the wrong places. 1 bud from the base of the trunk so it can produce buds from old wood, just doesn't seem to want to. Very frustrating
I'll be keeping an eye on this for any possible ideas too.

[LLK]

Very interesting article on Bonsai4me, where Harry Harrington talks about the difficulties he has encountered with oaks. Sounds remarkably like yours, Bodhi and Shibui. See
http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATquer ... otting.htm
PeterH owns a magnificent big oak; if you can get his attention, he might have some useful pointers. See his thread "Eucalyptus nicholii".
All the best!

Lisa

[PeterH]

Hi Bodhi,

I have a robur which I have had for some years. This year I am having some problems with die back on one of the lower branches but I am putting this down to the pot and heat. I think I can solve mine problem next year by a slightly deeper and wider pot.

I have had no problems with budding back and leaf reduction although I would like the leaves a little smaller. Generally I would remove the axial bud as they swell in late spring. I have also partially defoliated the lager leaves for several years.

This year I thought I had removed all the acorns because in past years they have not matured.I found one I had missed and it is maturing.

Regards,

Peter

[kcpoole]

An old Oak was the tree that got me into Bonsai originally tho it has passed on now.

Never had trouble reducing leaf size, but back budding on old bark was hit and miss. ( mostly miss).
Only ever did so at the junction of existing branching

Ken

[miyagiman]

Hi Bodhi, do you remember the talk I did at castlemaine a few years back, I spoke about my success with oaks and the methods used. I will go into further detail here later tonight to highlight some tips and routines. I know some of you out there will criticise but I'm only going to give you tips on what does actually work, even though the methods used are what we all do now, but for it to actually work we must take it to the extremes. I'm talking tertiary ramification in one growing season, but be prepared to work. miyagiman.

[Dario]

Hi Bodhi, do you remember the talk I did at castlemaine a few years back, I spoke about my success with oaks and the methods used. I will go into further detail here later tonight to highlight some tips and routines. I know some of you out there will criticise but I'm only going to give you tips on what does actually work, even though the methods used are what we all do now, but for it to actually work we must take it to the extremes. I'm talking tertiary ramification in one growing season, but be prepared to work. miyagiman.

Hi miyagiman.
I have read old posts where Antonio mentions that you have some great oaks, and I have previously meant to ask you about what you do etc.
So I would really appreciate it if you could go into some detail about how you approach working your oaks

Hey bodhi, that is a lovely trunk and I hope you get a good outcome with this tree!

Cheers, Dario.

[FatMingsBonsai]

From what I can make out with oaks is that they dont like any major work done to them. Minor tweaks here and there, a bit at a time is probably safest way to go.
They are reportedly similar to birches in terms of maintenance and root pruning. I have a few birches at the moment and have had die back on one because I had done too much root pruning this spring, whilst the other two only had a small amount taken off.
Maintenance pruning was treated the same way for all 3 and I am getting back budding, but I caution too severe pruning !! They don't like it. Bit by bit is the only way to go.

I recently purchased a mature Oak, have no experience with them at all, but if they are as sensitive as silver birches then I better be very careful indeed with maintenance or root pruning...
Perhaps, Marlene can chime in with her or her husband's experience with this species ??

Cheers.

[aiden.J]

Have the same problem with the branches of my oak.I have also tried the tips which i got from here.Please let me know the real and exact solution of this .

[Dario]

Hi Bodhi, do you remember the talk I did at castlemaine a few years back, I spoke about my success with oaks and the methods used. I will go into further detail here later tonight to highlight some tips and routines. I know some of you out there will criticise but I'm only going to give you tips on what does actually work, even though the methods used are what we all do now, but for it to actually work we must take it to the extremes. I'm talking tertiary ramification in one growing season, but be prepared to work. miyagiman.

Hi miyagiman.
I would really appreciate it if you could go into some detail about how you approach working your oaks
Cheers, Dario.

Sorry for being impatient miyagiman I know it has only been a few days etc...thanks.
Cheers, Dario.

[bodhidharma]

The Oak has responded to my threats of "Bonfires" if it does not get on with it. I repotted it yesterday and it had a very healthy root system. If you tackle an oak be prepared to understand the three "P's". Patience, perseverance, petrol, to light up the Bonfire with. It has given new branches and lots of secondary's on lower branches, as i cut of the top and started again. So a new top in a couple of years is not a bad outcome considering. It had a basic branch wire ( no secondary wiring) pruning and a slight angle change. The trunk is worth the effort and we will see in another few years

[kcpoole]

Lovley tree Bodhi. I love Quercus
Nice work over a few short years. A few more and should look excellent when it's terminal branching becomes more developed.

Ken

[Piscineidiot]

What a cool tree. That last photo puts me in mind of a striding Ent. So awesome. Look forward to see how it evolves as the ramification continues to develop.

[bodhidharma]

I have wanted to change the front view of this tree for a while now. It had an ugly right hand ranch that i had hidden with the viewing position. but it became obvious when viewing the tree live. I dont want to cheat this tree and i want to develop it to the best of my ability. Yes i know, not how an Oak grows, but i like different, and want to make this tree, well, different. I was confronted with the Bonsiaist's worst dilemma, cut off a developed branch for the tree's future. So off it came. I like the new viewing angle and it will take another 5-7 years. I have time......i think.
P.S, i am also working on another which will be styled "A la naturale"

[Sno]

Hi Bohdi I think the change makes a more interesting dynamic tree , even though I appreciated the ' Ent ' . It's a really great trunk the last photo doesn't do it justice ,too much shadow hiding the narliness . It would be great to see this tree next to your A la naturale .
Cheers Craig