Coast live oak – initial styling

Back in March I posted photos of several coast live oaks after cutting off all major branches (see “Reducing branches on coast live oak – follow-up“).

The trees have grown vigorously since then. So much so, they were ready for their first styling last month. The goal was to select primary branches and begin setting bends close to the trunk. Lower branches were left long to thicken while the upper branches were cut back to encourage ramification.

This work was completed by students enrolled in my spring Development Intensive. After selecting the fronts noted in the “after” photos, class participants pruned the trees and started on the wiring. Here is what the trees looked like before and after this work.

Tree #1

Tree #1 – after cutback and wiring

Tree #2

Tree #2 – after cuback and wiring

Tree #3

Tree #3 – after cuback and wiring

Tree #4

Tree #4 – after cuback and wiring

Tree #5

Tree #5 – after cuback and wiring

In the past few weeks since the trees were pruned last month, all have produced new buds and some new shoots have elongated several inches. I’ll let the trees grow through summer and look to prune them again toward the end of the year.

Upcoming intensives have been scheduled for this summer and fall. For more information, click here.