California live oak / quercus agrifolia

[Patric27]

I’m a beginner and would like to do a deep dive into turning some nursery stock coastal live oaks into bonsai over the next decades of life…but I’m not finding much.

The best source I’ve found is Al Nelson’s talk for the San Diego club:

He answered some key questions, but it seems that there must be more out there somewhere. Do any of you experts have some suggestions where deep dive information could be found?

Thanks!

 

[milehigh_7]

I’m a beginner and would like to do a deep dive into turning some nursery stock coastal live oaks into bonsai over the next decades of life…but I’m not finding much.

The best source I’ve found is Al Nelson’s talk for the San Diego club:

He answered some key questions, but it seems that there must be more out there somewhere. Do any of you experts have some suggestions where deep dive information could be found?

Thanks!

@PaulH you know a bit about these right?

 

[Wulfskaar]

Hey there! I'm just up the hill from you!

I think @BrianBay9 is one of our resident experts.

 

[BrianBay9]

Hey there! I'm just up the hill from you!

I think @BrianBay9 is one of our resident experts.

I wouldn't throw the "expert" term around with such wild abandon! I have some experience with them and might be able to answer specific questions that come up.

 

[Patric27]

Great to meet you all!
I’ve made some mistakes already as some online advice seems contradictory.
Has anyone found any written sources to read up on QA?
These trees are so amazing and beautiful and I’d like to build on their own style. I’m willing to take time with them.

 

[Patric27]

Perhaps I should state my interest level:
I have no interest to ever show my work in the future. I would like to have healthy, attractive trees that follow good bonsai principles, while respecting the natural style of these trees.

 

[Ruddigger]

Michael Roberts in LA has some of the best oaks in the country. He does workshops often, and in fact I think he’s the guest artist at the Baikoen meeting this Thursday, with oaks being the topic of discussion.

 

[BrianBay9]

John Thompson is another great resource. He's a bit north of you though.

 

[Attmos]

I hear the Classes you can take at https://www.bonsaiempire.com/ are actually very good.

If you want to "dive deep".