The Great Roberts Mt. Bonsai Project

[RKatzin]

Much of the land is covered in Live Oak
It's not the usual kind I see growing everywhere. This is more scrubby, the tallest only reaching 10' or so, but most are low growing bushes. The leaf is much smaller also.

I don't know if this is normal Live Oak that is being effected by elevation and weather or if is a different variety that grows at higher elevation. The majority of it is nondescript shrubs and bushes, but there are some that are phenomenal specimens.

The area we've chosen to build in is covered in them, many less than 2' tall with 3-4" trunks. These must be cleared away before we can begin building.

If anyone has any advice on digging Live Oak I could sure use the help. One of those things I've read about, but never had the pleasure to do. For better or worse they are coming out of the ground and I would like to save them if I can.

 

[aml1014]

Much of the land is covered in Live Oak
It's not the usual kind I see growing everywhere. This is more scrubby, the tallest only reaching 10' or so, but most are low growing bushes. The leaf is much smaller also.

I don't know if this is normal Live Oak that is being effected by elevation and weather or if is a different variety that grows at higher elevation. The majority of it is nondescript shrubs and bushes, but there are some that are phenomenal specimens.

The area we've chosen to build in is covered in them, many less than 2' tall with 3-4" trunks. These must be cleared away before we can begin building.

If anyone has any advice on digging Live Oak I could sure use the help. One of those things I've read about, but never had the pleasure to do. For better or worse they are coming out of the ground and I would like to save them if I can.

A pic would help, your in a very different part of the country but it sounds like Quercus turbinella or the scrub live oak native here at least.

Aaron
Edit : what color are the leaves?

 

[Vin]

Down here we call the short Live Oak looking trees Scrub Oak. They're short lived in comparison but have many similar characteristics. Is it possible that's what you have?

 

[Arcto]

Haven't collected these, don't know your soil conditions. Would recommend pre soaking ground before digging if you are going for root balls. Also, start with several marginal ones that aren't high value until you work thru the learning curve as to what the digging will be like. I would then go after the best trees and get as many as you can before fatigue sets in and little errors start happening. I'm sure some experienced collectors from CA could chip in with good advice on these. Good luck.

 

[Paradox]

Nice views.
Good luck

 

[RKatzin]

Down here we call the short Live Oak looking trees Scrub Oak. They're short lived in comparison but have many similar characteristics. Is it possible that's what you have?

What we call Scrub Oak has a very oaklike leaf and is a deciduous tree. These are evergreen and have the same holly-like leaf, but about a quarter the size. There are some that manage an upright structure, 10'-15' tall, very stout and aged. Many sprawl over a vast area, 15'-20' in diameter, when you begin to dig you see it's all one tree emanating from a single trunk. Many of the branches are rooted where they touch ground.

There's not a lot of dead material anywhere, even those that have been run over by the skidder are growing back. Very harsh winter up here and these are very persistent.

I'll get some comparison pics post haste

 

[RKatzin]

This is a bigger example of the Live Oak, same small leaf. The Scrub Oak shown is average size at this elevation.

 

[RKatzin]

After some research I believe these are Canyon Live Oak, Quercus chrysolepis. Waiting for the passing of the full moon to start my digging.

 

[eferguson1974]

Wow, that live oak looks nothing like the huge ones I grew up with in Fl. But good luck, I hope you can save them, it would be a shame to loose good material for bonsai, while building a place for bonsai! Kinda counter productive. I wish I had some help for you, but dont. I hope it goes well!

 

[ConorDash]

All looks great, I'll definitely be "watching" this thread and looking forward to more pics.

I'll add my English charm to this thread by saying: "This time next year Rodney...". That reference is about as English as I can possibly imagine. It's gonna make absolutely no sense to anyone, but it's the right time for it, just trust me .

I look forward to progression pics and work on bonsai trees, let's see what this progression of acres of land looks like!

 

[Vin]

I'll add my English charm to this thread by saying: "This time next year Rodney...". That reference is about as English as I can possibly imagine. It's gonna make absolutely no sense to anyone, but it's the right time for it, just trust me .

Makes sense to me but you could have just called him a Plonker if you wanted to really confuse him

 

[ConorDash]

Makes sense to me but you could have just called him a Plonker if you wanted to really confuse him

I thought more people would know that word lol. I know that's quite English but is it really really extremely English? We have some odd words..

 

[Potawatomi13]

Hi Rick. Last one you pictured with lobed leaves is Q. garryana Oregon White oak but stunted. Very nice trees!
Question of other one? Is chrysolepis winter hardy your location? With some research can answer own question with a Yes. Apparently is native to southern Lane county. Did not know. You may also find Q. sadleriana Deer oak which is also native your area. Mature acorn and bud could give positive ID. Most interesting trees indeed! Also please why passing of full moon?

 

[fredman]

Also please why passing of full moon?

Rick is old school. He is guided by the forces of the cosmos. My kinda man I manage my organic vege garden that way. Makes me think of the way our ancestors used to do it.
http://www.gardeningbythemoon.com/phases.html

 

[Vin]

I thought more people would know that word lol. I know that's quite English but is it really really extremely English? We have some odd words..

My first couple years in England was quite a learning experience. Once you have an understanding of the language, you begin to fit in and then it becomes really enjoyable. I had a great time while there, made many friends and drank a lot of beer.

 

[Dav4]

My first couple years in England was quite a learning experience. Once you have an understanding of the language, you begin to fit in and then it becomes really enjoyable. I had a great time while there, made many friends and drank a lot of beer.

My in -laws are British and lived in Manchester until emigrating in the 1960's. I didn't understand a bloody word my future father in law said to me for the first 6 months after I met him...I just smiled when he smiled and laughed when he laughed. Eventually, I caught on, and it turned out that the guy was actually pretty funny!

 

[Vin]

My in -laws are British and lived in Manchester until emigrating in the 1960's. I didn't understand a bloody word my future father in law said to me for the first 6 months after I met him...I just smiled when he smiled and laughed when he laughed. Eventually, I caught on, and it turned out that the guy was actually pretty funny!

Let me tell you a funny story. Back in the 70's at the naïve age of 19 I was in England for just a few days and visited one of the local Pubs. I was by myself sitting at the bar drinking a pint of lager. This extremely good looking young woman comes up to me and asked "are you Randy?" I replied quite firmly that I was not Randy. She asked me again "are you sure you're not Randy." I got a bit aggravated and said "look, I'm sure I'm not Randy and I would certainly know if I was." She just said walked away shaking her head. Later, I found out what she meant.

 

[ConorDash]

Let me tell you a funny story. Back in the 70's at the naïve age of 19 I was in England for just a few days and visited one of the local Pubs. I was by myself sitting at the bar drinking a pint of lager. This extremely good looking young woman comes up to me and asked "are you Randy?" I replied quite firmly that I was not Randy. She asked me again "are you sure you're not Randy." I got a bit aggravated and said "look, I'm sure I'm not Randy and I would certainly know if I was." She just said walked away shaking her head. Later, I found out what she meant.

Lol
People don't use the word randy anymore... I've only ever seen that used in Austin powers lol

 

[LanceMac10]

Let me tell you a funny story. Back in the 70's at the naïve age of 19 I was in England for just a few days and visited one of the local Pubs. I was by myself sitting at the bar drinking a pint of lager. This extremely good looking young woman comes up to me and asked "are you Randy?" I replied quite firmly that I was not Randy. She asked me again "are you sure you're not Randy." I got a bit aggravated and said "look, I'm sure I'm not Randy and I would certainly know if I was." She just said walked away shaking her head. Later, I found out what she meant.

Sometimes slang is NOT cool!!!! A chance at some strange and your left fumbling, along a wall of mis-communication.....

 

[LanceMac10]

My in -laws are British and lived in Manchester until emigrating in the 1960's. I didn't understand a bloody word my future father in law said to me for the first 6 months after I met him...I just smiled when he smiled and laughed when he laughed. Eventually, I caught on, and it turned out that the guy was actually pretty funny!

Hopefully he enjoyed your company?