Should I dig this up?

[Iowa newbie]

A few years back, my youngest got this oak seedling at the end of first grade. I wasn't into bonsai back then and just planted it without thinking twice, its coming along nicely. I have not pruned it at all and it went in the ground 3 years ago. Its roughly 2ft tall and trunk is about a diameter of my thumb. I have tried to identify the leaf, looks like a bur oak or an english oak but Im not sure. Is this worth harvesting and developing in a grow box long term? I've read oaks get a deep taproot and you shouldn't let them go too long in the ground, its tough to tell but at base its wider below the surface and already has somewhat of a lobe forming below the surface. Its out in the open on the property and its gotten whipped around in the high winds a touch. Im in no rush to collect it, just curious if its worth it and if so, plan next spring??? Thanks in advance

 

[sorce]

You happen to remember what the roots were you like then?

Most folks with oaks that big, plant them in the ground!

You're ahead of the game!

Sorce

 

[Iowa newbie]

You happen to remember what the roots were you like then?

Most folks with oaks that big, plant them in the ground!

You're ahead of the game!

Sorce

I vaguely remember it came in gallon ziplock with a nice note from the teacher, which got quickly disposed of, only to sit on the counter for a couple of days. When I found it I slapped it into the ground as quick as possible and didn't do much with the roots it wasn't much to begin with. Didnt' give it any special soil either, straight into that Iowa thick clay.

 

[penumbra]

You might consider digging it in the late winter / spring and addressing the tap root, root prune it and put it back in the ground.
Looks like a white oak.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Leaves of but oak vary a lot, both over range, and geography, and also vary by microhabitat. Your leaves are "in range" for but oak, but it could be white oak, swamp white oak, or even Q. robur, English oak if the teacher bought seed from a vendor.

All the white oaks, which includes bur oaks have some success as bonsai. Leaves will reduce with ramification.

I agree with @penumbra that you should dig and cut tap roots. Then put it back in ground. Let it keep building trunk diameter. You need over 2 inches diameter even for shohin bonsai. Oaks look better as medium or large trees, so I would need the diameter up to 4 inches before lifting and putting in a bonsai pot.

 

[Iowa newbie]

All the white oaks, which includes bur oaks have some success as bonsai. Leaves will reduce with ramification.

Thats the question I was wondering... I will plan on getting this out of the ground early spring and cut the taproot. Anything else I should do?

 

[Forsoothe!]

Yes, dig it & cut the tap, and then put it in a container the size of the finished pot and sink it for two, but not three growing seasons. Do that as many times as it takes to get to a size you like. That will keep the roots in check and you need to keep the top in check, too. Otherwise you will someday find yourself in possession of tree that needs to be chopped and beginning the whole process all over again.