Bonsai Tonight

An educational website about bonsai development

Developing a young cork oak bonsai

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Last year I did some initial cutback and wiring on a cork oak that was one year out of the ground (see “Stimulating new buds on cork oak” for details).

The tree has grown well over the past year and is now ready for another cutback.

Cork oak

The part of the tree I’m most interested in developing at this stage is the apex. Here’s a close-up of the area I cut back to last year.

New shoots near former apex

As you can see, the trunk is straight in this section. Or maybe you can’t see – let’s clear away the new shoots to get a better view.

After removing new shoots

I’ve decided to use the curvy branch on the left for a new apex so I won’t need branches above this point.

New apex

Once the new apex thickens, I’ll remove the top of the trunk by cutting between the new apex and the branch indicated on the right.

Top branch on the right side of the tree

Once that was settled, I reduced the strong shoots emerging from the top of the old apex.

After cutback

Some wiring added shape to the future branches.

After wiring

Here’s a closer look.

After wiring – close-up

To get a better idea of what the tree will look like after I remove the old leader, I covered it up with a towel.

The future trunk line

I’ll let the tree grow for another year at this point as the apex and main branches need to thicken.

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Comments

  1. I’m curious why the first branch on the left was given so many “roller-coaster” curves? Do you see this as how the final design will be, and if so, why?
    Thanks

    • Good question Vic – at this point I just want to make sure there are no straight sections on the branch. I plan to shorten it over time once more secondary branches are in place. By placing curves everywhere, I’ll have more options when it’s time to cut back.

    • When in Oak country, take a look at the branching. North of Santa Barbara along hwy 154 and then from the 154 up the 101 into Santa Rosa you will really see the open structure now in trees growing out in the open away from stream beds. Many of the oaks along the central coast have had so much drought that they have lost a lot of foliage so the branch movement is readily observed. The Oaks are recovering this year and putting out a lot of new growth. Great opportunity. The branching is really curvy and sometimes like you said, a “roller-coaster”. If you look down the end of an old branch you will sometimes see a corkscrew type movement; down, then left then up, then left, then right then up……crazy but beautiful, especially against the sky.

  2. Since the leader is about twice as thick as the lower left branch I’m wondering about your plans to eventually reverse this. Letting the leader run for a while then cutting it back hard and then giving the low left branch it’s turn? Looks like fun long term project.

    • Thanks, Bruce! I enjoy these kinds of projects. As for the lower branch, I’ll be letting it thicken up a bit too. Am not sure how thick it will eventually get, but I do know it has a ways to go. Will continue with the updates down the road.