Question on southern live oak (Q virginiana) ramification

[BrianBay9]

I know oaks in general can be difficult to convince to ramify. But my recent attempts with southern live oak seem particularly frustrating. Those of you with Q virginiana ( @rockm ), do you use the typical techniques - let growth extend and harden off, then cut back to two or three leaves. Or do you cut back new growth to two or three leaves before it fully extends and hardens off?

 

[rockm]

I know oaks in general can be difficult to convince to ramify. But my recent attempts with southern live oak seem particularly frustrating. Those of you with Q virginiana ( @rockm ), do you use the typical techniques - let growth extend and harden off, then cut back to two or three leaves. Or do you cut back new growth to two or three leaves before it fully extends and hardens off?

Allowing the tree to push extension growth can help. Full sun does too. But pruning into old wood is one of the best ways to get back budding

Defoliation can help too but it can be very risky if the tree isn’t real strong

 

[BrianBay9]

Allowing the tree to push extension growth can help. Full sun does too. But pruning into old wood is one of the best ways to get back budding

Defoliation can help too but it can be very risky if the tree isn’t real strong

Thanks for the tips.

 

[Cajunrider]

I know oaks in general can be difficult to convince to ramify. But my recent attempts with southern live oak seem particularly frustrating. Those of you with Q virginiana ( @rockm ), do you use the typical techniques - let growth extend and harden off, then cut back to two or three leaves. Or do you cut back new growth to two or three leaves before it fully extends and hardens off?

In the beginning with my live oaks I attempted the same and had the same frustration. I then visited many sites with ancient live oaks. All of those ancient live oaks have long running branches with very gentle taper. Ramification does not occur until a good distance from the trunk. I now have 5 live oaks which I allow the branches to run long and I wire them to droop down to the ground. Lateral ramification of those branches will be attempted 18" away from the trunk. Ramification of the straight upright sprouts from the droop branches is pursued immediately. Every 3-4 months I cut them back. I am forming the canopy shape of the live oak from those upright sprouts while allowing those big running branches spread out wide for the overall shape of an ancient live oak.