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Victor Engel | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Bur Oak Bonsai Experiment tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Bur Oak Bonsai Experiment

I'm not sure I would actually call this a bonsai because
I have some ideas that conflict with strict bonsai rules.
Nevertheless, for lack of a better word, that's what I'll
use. This is a work in progress. I describe details of the
various pictures in the description and will add more to
the comment area if I get comments. Please share any
comments you may have. Be aware that these are meant to
just be snapshots, and I'd like comments on the bonsai,
not the photography.
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NNE View
NNE View		 WNW View
WNW View		 NW View
NW View		 West View
West View
South View
South View		 SE View
SE View		 ESE View Close
ESE View Close		 Double Trunk Possibility
Double Trunk Possibility
Double Trunk Possibility
Double Trunk Possibility		 Hail Damage
Hail Damage		 Top had to go
Top had to go		 Wired
"Wired"
Leaf Contrasts
Leaf Contrasts		 Downward
Downward		 Downward2
Downward2		 Downward3
Downward3
Pruning Potential
Pruning Potential		 L Branch
L Branch		 Hail Damage
Hail Damage
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comment | share
Victor Engel29-May-2008 04:14
Why try something easy when you can try something challenging instead (grin). I've heard that about bur oak roots. I've also heard that it's really post oaks that are sensitive in the root zone. But perhaps pruning is different qualitatively than being smashed by heavy equipment. This year was the first time I've done any root pruning. I have no pictures of it. For the first time, I was rather light. I removed one major root -- a large one that encircled the pot. The other roots I trimmed this time were rather small. The plant apparently didn't even notice I'd trimmed any roots. So next year I'll be a bit more aggressive. -- Victor
Guest 29-May-2008 03:57
iirc bur oaks are very sensitive to root damage, which is why you often see them die after construction work. I'm intrigued that you've been successful so far, assuming you've pruned some roots. I believe in most (job site) cases the trees' distress is due to sharp rocks bruising the roots when heavy vehicles press the rocks downward. tce
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