Awesome Buckley Oak

[Big Country Bonsai]

Went out looking for material to collect this weekend and was able to bring this beauty home. It already has a nice branch structure and I was able to get a good deal of feeder roots with it which is apparently rare in oak trees. I thank I am going to take one of the larger branches off but wanted to get some feedback on it before I do so. I think I will probably take off the second trunk at the base and also I was thinking of taking off the second branch from the base to help balance the tree from left to right given that it has a lot more branches on the left than the right.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Suggestions: Once signs of growth begin feeding weekly. Once weather heats up keep part shaded. If tree shows decent strength trim back about 50% to give/keep lower tree strength. If only low growth happens cut back to there. Once decently established cut back to 1st left(in picture)branch. Reasons for above include straight boring trunk, best potential interest in low branches, keeping energy from roots going into remaining useful tree. With great after care possibly will get second growth of foliage. Would love to see this one develop. Best of fortune with.

 

[Big Country Bonsai]

Suggestions: Once signs of growth begin feeding weekly. Once weather heats up keep part shaded. If tree shows decent strength trim back about 50% to give/keep lower tree strength. If only low growth happens cut back to there. Once decently established cut back to 1st left(in picture)branch. Reasons for above include straight boring trunk, best potential interest in low branches, keeping energy from roots going into remaining useful tree. With great after care possibly will get second growth of foliage. Would love to see this one develop. Best of fortune with.

Thanks for the suggestions but I think I want to try and keep this one as a more naturalistic bonsai. This tree has a bit of age on it and I would feel bad for whacking it down to a short stump. The trunk does a bit of subtle movement that I think is worth keeping as well!

 

[Potawatomi13]

Be aware that "soft/subtle" movement after some years effectively disappears. Needs to be somewhat exaggerated in beginning to be useful later on. Personal desire is unusual but generally natural styles for trees on my bench. Wait. be patient before getting rid of branches maybe needed later on. Study, evaluate, think at least 3 times before making major cuts.