Quercus nigra
Collect date: 2/24/18
Trunk base: 2.25″
Height to chop: 13″
Estimated age: 20 years
Years in training: 1
Estimated release date: 4/15/20
Video #1
Although this tree obviously grew with great strength this year, it did present me with one significant challenge: there were no trunk buds higher than that very vigorous shoot emerging from the side of the trunk half-way up. But … maybe that’s for the best.
This tree has come a long way in 2018. For those of you who know me, I do tend to push my trees. Today I saw no reason not to slip-pot this future oak bonsai. That should give me a head-start on it in 2019.
I’d love to know what you think of this very fine Water oak bonsai to be. Leave me a comment below.
Slip potting is fine if the soils are not too dissimilar.
Let the tree grow a little and let it tell you what it will feel most comfortable with. pk
Love the chop and carve, Zach. One question: Why slip pot now? Doesn’t that increase the stress on the tree and to some degree, risk recovery? Why not wait until Spring?
Thank you, Richard. There’s certainly some risk to slip-potting now, but I’ve lifted oaks in the August-September timeframe and they’ve done well. I was a little surprised at how well-rooted this tree is, so I think I’m going to get a head-start next year with it for having taken this step now. The tree doesn’t need a lot of thickening of the tapering transition, so I can focus on the detailed design in 2019. If I had to thicken it a lot, going to a bonsai pot would not be the thing to do.