English Sessile Oak Bonsai
Mike Lowndes
Hi,
I have a 5-6 year old sessile oak tree that I would like to bonsai or
semi-bonsai. I would like the finished article to be around 3' high/wide
and look pretty much like the real thing. What I need is some advice on
how much to interfere at this stage.
The tree:
The oak stands about 1'10" with an initial straight trunk to 9" (0.5" to
0.3" in diameter) which then bifuractes into an almost perfect Y (good for
a catapult!). The two branches are each about 11" long and straight. I
did not pinch the growing branches as I was not sure when to do this.
The tree is now in full leaf with a few short branches off each main
branch.
The oak stays outside all year long. At present it is planted in a
plastic pot, 10" diam, 10" deep. the pot is plunged into the ground and
has many holes drilled in it. Twice a year I lift the pot and remove any
roots that have come through.
Any guidance would be appreciated but here are some specific questions:
1. Is it time to reduce the pot size and isolate it from the surrounding
earth, or can I leave it such that the soil (+worms etc) can mix with
outside and continue my policy of root pruning?
2. Should I now start to wire the main branches or are they too far gone?
3. Should I cut the main branches back to 2-3 " now or leave it til
Autumn/Fall if at all?
4. When I pinch off new growth, do I need to do it after a bud or can I do
it in the middle of an internode?
5. If I leave it as it is, will it grow too big!
Thanks in advance for any help.
cheers
Mike
Mike
In article <mike.lowndes-1...@mac3.anat.ox.ac.uk>
mike.l...@anat.ox.ac.uk "Mike Lowndes" writes:
> 1. Is it time to reduce the pot size and isolate it from the surrounding
> earth, or can I leave it such that the soil (+worms etc) can mix with
> outside and continue my policy of root pruning?
No, I would leave it in the pot or even plant it in the ground to thicken the
trunk. The oaks that I have only rarely seem to need root pruning. Wait until
the tree is bigger than the bonsai you want it to be then cut it back.
> 2. Should I now start to wire the main branches or are they too far gone?
It's almost always possible to wire branches if they give a little when you
apply some pressure. Personally, I prefer oaks to grow naturally until they
have a good trunk and main branches. It sounds as though yours may have some
way to go before it is big enough to start heavy training.
> 3. Should I cut the main branches back to 2-3 " now or leave it til
> Autumn/Fall if at all?
I don't cut branches at all on oaks when trying to thicken them. To promote
branching etc. I pick out the terminal bud in late winter, forcing the
smaller buds to grow instead.
> 4. When I pinch off new growth, do I need to do it after a bud or can I do
> it in the middle of an internode?
Dunno. I suppose it depends on the internodal spacing.
> 5. If I leave it as it is, will it grow too big!
I wouldn't have thought so. Don't forget that root pruning actually tends to
promote growth! Whilst they are crammed in their pot they don't grow as fast.
Oaks are funny things, they don't seem to take kindly to formal training and
because of their geographical distribution there seems relatively little
`bonsai culture' about them in relation to Acers, Pines and even Elms (does
anyone know where I can get an English Elm - Ulmus Procera?)
Mike