AusBonsai

Hi All,
I collected several Oaks two years ago. However the root system on two of them were very poor. In October I air layered them. I did not completely ringbark them but left 3 small slivers of bark across the ringbark area. Have noticed recently several large splits on one. The other tree has no splits but is swelling a fair bit at the base.Any ideas on what is happening and what to do.
Thanks John.

John,
This just looks like the tree growing. The outer bark is tough and hard so for the tree to grow it must either shed the old bark or the old bark splits like this. Usually it happens in lots of little splits that contribute to the look of 'aged' bark but in really rapidly growing trees, especially small ones like these the cracks are fewer and larger. I think its nothing to worry about, in fact congrats on getting them to grow so well

Hi Boom64, I am interested to see some of your collected oak stock if that is ok with you?
How long do you expect to leave the layers on for and are the roots growing well already?
Have you layered oaks before? And do you know if the layered sections with the slivers are trying to roll over and heal themselves, or is it looking good?
Cheers, Dario.

Hi Shibui,
Thanks for the reply and encouragement. Cheers.
Hi Dario,
Have posted a photo of two more Oaks. One has a interesting trunk,it has roots growing underneath it, the other was fairly straight and uninteresting so have taken the top of and going for a twin trunk,looking at it now i think i should have chopped a little lower .I really do not know how long i will leave it on, will sneak a look in winter.These are the first i have attempted on Oaks.So all new for me. I also collected several small trees, just growing them on. I have an airlayer on a Cedrus Libani that has been on for over a year and still no roots.
Regards John.

Hey John, thanks for the pics of your oaks, they look like they will make nice bonsai!
From the pic it looks like you have cut the twin trunk low enough...don't forget to wire some movement into the start of the mew trunk lines when the shoots can handle it.
Good luck with the layers too, I will be interested to know how long they take to push roots and if the slivers try to roll over etc...so please let me know how it goes no matter how long it takes!
Cheers, Dario.

Ooh, yay, it seems I have an oak tree in my backyard. Always wondered what it was, thanks for posting the pics!