Native oak species in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region

[Tiny Tree Enthusiast]

I am interested in experimenting more with species that are native to the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Can anyone share experience or thoughts on which of these oak species may be most (or least) suitable for bonsai?

1. Black oak
2. White oak
3. Scarlet oak
4. Red oak
5. Pin oak

Thanks in advance!

 

[rockm]

Pin oak is the best on your list. Best eastern oak for bonsai is willow oak (quercus Phellos) pretty common but very shallow roots and leaves reduce well. Red oak. White oak. Scarlett oak etc are not great. Leaves don’t reduce much they don’t like root disturbance and don’t respond well to bonsai cultivation

Live oak (quercus Virginiana) is a pretty good candidate as well.

 

[PA_Penjing]

bear oak has the smallest leaves and shortest internodes of my native oaks, q. ilicifolia. It has the somewhat typical oak leaf shape but they are hard to find for sale AND in nature. They grow in a cool meandering style, like wild bonsai but I've never seen a substantial trunk on one. It might be one of those yamadori or don't bother species. I've heard quite a few times over the years on bonsai nut that pin oak make good bonsai but I've never seen one, that I can remember at least, good or bad. I tried to sprout some acorns this winter but the squirrels had other plans. I wanted to try a shohin kind of thing

 

[PA_Penjing]

Something like this, it’s an English oak but I like the cartoony proportions. Like a shohin azalea in bloom or something