After a number of years working with cork oak bonsai, it’s become really clear that for the lower branches to thicken, the top needs regular trimming. This photo from earlier this week makes it clear where the tree wants to produce new growth. Cork oak with new growth on the upper branches Fortunately, if the […]
Cork Oak
Cork oak branch development
Healthy oaks can grow quickly in spring. When the spring flush hardens off, it’s a good time to prune. Cork oak – container by Sara Rayner I last worked on the tree in August. Because it’s grown so much since then, I expected the wire to start cutting in. Wire starting to cut in Wire […]
Stimulating new buds on cork oak
One of the best things about working with cork oak bonsai is that you can cut almost anywhere on the tree and expect new buds to pop. The buds don’t always appear where you want them, but there are usually enough to work with. A year ago I repotted the cork oak below and then […]
Cork oak pruning follow-up
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 […]
Pot selection exercise – cork oak
One of the best things about repotting season is that it provides an opportunity for us to select new containers for our trees. When we move trees from training pots or poorly matched containers to something better, it can be like having a new tree in the yard. One tree that stumped me this year […]