Cork bark oak - the trunk to sacrifice

[Hbhaska]

This cork bark oak was repotted more than a year ago but hasn’t been super healthy. This year with some strong fertilizer, the tree seems to be doing ok. I like the curvature of the main thick trunk, so I could sacrifice the smaller trunk (red line). But if I sacrifice the bigger trunk (blue line), I will get better taper? What do you think. I have to do one or the other soon before it causes a bulge and reverse taper.

 

[Housguy]

My suggestion would be to make the cut at the red line and a cut just above the upper corking part of the tree where it hasn't started corking yet. I would only do this if you feel the tree is strong enough to take it, because these trees do back bud well and you can start to develop your new tree, good luck! By the way, I do this a lot with my cork oaks and have good success with strong back budding.

 

[Hbhaska]

My suggestion would be to make the cut at the red line and a cut just above the upper corking part of the tree where it hasn't started corking yet. I would only do this if you feel the tree is strong enough to take it, because these trees do back bud well and you can start to develop your new tree, good luck! By the way, I do this a lot with my cork oaks and have good success with strong back budding.

I like this idea!

 

[Potawatomi13]

Agreed as to removing red line "trunk" branch. However would also cut blue main trunk just above next bend above blue mark. Tree is all boring straight lines. Needs more trunk movement/interest to develop interesting uniqueness.

 

[Hbhaska]

Cuts done and sealed. Will let this recover.

 

[penumbra]

I hope you took cuttings.

 

[Hbhaska]

I hope you took cuttings.

There are these two, not sure what to do with them. Do they root if they are stuck in soil?

 

[Jzack605]

Always been my understanding oak are really difficult to do vegetative propagation with.

 

[penumbra]

Always been my understanding oak are really difficult to do vegetative propagation with.

I wasn't paying attention. I thought it was a cork bark elm.

 

[Housguy]

Cuts done and sealed. Will let this recover.

Like it, it should back bud well, enjoy!

 

[Lutonian]

post error see below

 

[Lutonian]

cuttings can be done is just hard work for a very low percentage

 

[Night_Watch]

Do they root if they are stuck in soil?

I root cuttings of Q. Ilex and another unknown evergreen oak, since they do not grow in nature here and it is difficult to buy such material.
it's easier than I thought. You cut it, stick it into the ground, wait ...
====
On the picture:
1. Two-year-old cutting of Q.Ilex.
Everything that is taller than an inch has already grown on its roots. 1 out of 10 caught on.
2. Autumn cuttings of Q. Ilex, 3 out of 3 have taken root (red arrows). Nearby are cuttings of an unknown oak.
3. Spring cuttings Q.Ilex. The result is still unclear.
4. Mother trees. They are 3 years old.

 

[Hbhaska]

And this little cork bark now exploding with new growth

 

[Housguy]

Excellent! Now the journey begins, enjoy!!

 

[casun]

@Hbhaska How is this cork oak doing?