• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Bonsai Tonight

An educational website about bonsai development

  • Blog
    • How-to Guides
  • Podcast
  • Shop
    • Bonsai
    • Books
    • Soil
    • Soil (wholesale)
    • Supplies
    • Tools
    • Video Consulting
    • Northern California Bonsai Resources
  • About
    • Workshops

Cork oak pruning follow-up

August 11, 2023 by Jonas Dupuich

After pruning broadleaf evergreens in summer, you may see lots of small shoots emerging close to the places that were cut. I usually let these grow a bit before thinning them in fall, but this year I’m removing all of the buds that I don’t plan to use and shortening the buds that are already too long.

Here’s an example of a cork oak that is now producing new growth after pruning earlier this summer.

Cork oak

Cork oak – 16″ tall
Container by Sara Rayner

The overall plan for this tree is to keep the top branches in check while letting the lower branches run (see “Bonsai Development Series #27” for details). To slow down the upper part of the tree, I reduced shoots that were already too long.

Long shoot

Reducing a long shoot

I also removed small shoots that I don’t need.

Downward-growing shoot

Downward-growing shoot

New shoot at a branch junction

New shoot at a branch junction

I’ll have to repeat this process throughout the rest of the growing season or else the upper branches will get too strong. Once the lower branches reach the desired thickness, I’ll be able to treat all branches the same and focus on creating the desired silhouette for the tree.

News and Updates

US National Exhibition. We are only four weeks away from the biggest show of the year – the US National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, NY!

The show will be held on September 9th and 10th from 9-5 Saturday and 9-4 Sunday. The weekend features demonstrations from Koji Hiramatsu, Gerald Rainville, Corin Tomlinson, and Sean Smith and critiques from a variety of bonsai professionals.

Tickets for the event are available now, and there are still open spots for the banquet. Learn more about the event and get your tickets at the US National Bonsai Exhibition website.

Opening at the Pacific Bonsai Museum. Interested in helping maintain an outstanding bonsai garden in the Pacific Northwest? The Pacific Bonsai Museum has an opening for a part-time Bonsai/Garden Assistant. Learn more about the opportunity from the Pacific Bonsai Museum.

Golden Zooms. The Golden State Bonsai Federation hosts quarterly presentations on different bonsai topics. You can view these presentations on the GSBF YouTube channel.

Last month, Peter Tea discussed Juniper structure and pad development. Past episodes feature Andrew Robson (Seasonal care for deciduous bonsai) and Sergio Cuan (Deciduous development techniques and garden tour). Keep up with new installments at the GSBF YouTube channel.

✕

Subscribe to Bonsai Tonight

New Posts Delivered Every Tuesday and Friday

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Filed Under: Bonsai Development Tagged With: Cork Oak

Previous Post: « Post-bloom thinning satsuki azalea
Next Post: Creating shohin beautyberry »

Footer

Follow Bonsai Tonight

Subscribe

Instagram ● Facebook ● Twitter
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Shop
  • About

P.O. Box 6560, Alameda, CA 94501 · 510-915-2025 · jonas (at) bonsaitonight (dot) com

© Copyright 2009-2023 Bonsai Tonight · All rights reserved · Privacy · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You can opt-out if you wish. Accept Decline Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT