Anyone have experience working with Quercus stellata (post oak)? Any advice appreciated

[Big Country Bonsai]

I was lucky enough to purchase this pretty cool oak prebonsai at a Dallas nursery and just had to take it home with me because I think it has potential to become something awesome in the future. From what I’ve read collecting oak is something that’s not necesarilly easy to do and it was awesome seeing it done successfully. The owner repotted it early this year and he says he’s not sure how lon he has had it but I saw it for the first time about three years ago and the pot it was in looked pretty old at that point. I don’t think much root work has been done on it and I wish I could have seen the roots when he repotted it but even if they aren’t the best I think they can be improved in the future. I’m thinking of changing the angle during the next repot and styling it in an informal upright design. I think I should keep the primary branch but sort of using it as a secondary trunk due to its length and straightness. Let me know if you disagree with the styling proposal. Of course it needs time for refinement but I really like the bark and the fact that it looks healthy.

 

[Big Country Bonsai]

Bump

 

[Potawatomi13]

IMHO these have one of personal favorite Oak leaves. Beginning bark is GOOD to have. Best suggestions here are get movement/curves in 2 trunks and ground/box grow to get bigger trunk and basic structure to tree. Really needs straightness of trunks changed. Fairly large leaves need larger 3 1/2' to 5' "finished" tree. With larger tree present depth of roots should be OK. Best fortune with this.

 

[Michael P]

I've had one for about 10 years. At least I think it is Q. stellata, it may be a collected natural hybrid. It is touchy about everything: pruning, repotting, watering, etc. Currently it is growing in expanded shale and compost in a very over-sized pot. It looks healthier in those conditions than at any other time. It is an extreme informal slant style. The leaves are way too large, and I am afraid to defoliate it. But a few years ago it defoliated itself during the summer for unknown reasons, and then regrew a very attractive set of leaves. It wants to grow long, straight branches that have a whorl of buds at the end. The following season ALL the buds start to grow, leaving a cluster of 5 or 6 twigs at the same place. But if you thin them much, that branch will stop growing.

This spring I will try to repot in a better looking container, and do some significant pruning. If past experience is any guide, it will probably sulk for years afterward, if not simply die. Troublesome as it is, I still love it.

 

[Big Country Bonsai]

I've had one for about 10 years. At least I think it is Q. stellata, it may be a collected natural hybrid. It is touchy about everything: pruning, repotting, watering, etc. Currently it is growing in expanded shale and compost in a very over-sized pot. It looks healthier in those conditions than at any other time. It is an extreme informal slant style. The leaves are way too large, and I am afraid to defoliate it. But a few years ago it defoliated itself during the summer for unknown reasons, and then regrew a very attractive set of leaves. It wants to grow long, straight branches that have a whorl of buds at the end. The following season ALL the buds start to grow, leaving a cluster of 5 or 6 twigs at the same place. But if you thin them much, that branch will stop growing.

This spring I will try to repot in a better looking container, and do some significant pruning. If past experience is any guide, it will probably sulk for years afterward, if not simply die. Troublesome as it is, I still love it.

Good info! Any pictures of yours? Where state did you collect it? I have my eye on a mohr oak (scrub oak) but I have a feeling it’s going to be a difficult species to collect.

 

[Michael P]

Sorry, I don't have any photos but will try to take some this fall before leaf drop. I did not collect it but I know that it came from the DFW area.