Young Oak

[BobbyLane]

Quercus Rober

Versus an Oak I always walk past in the park..



Oaks are so slow, with large leaves, long internodes. Wll see what can be done with this.

 

[SFDrake]

Quercus Rober

Versus an Oak I always walk past in the park..View attachment 595814
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Oaks are so slow, with large leaves, long internodes. Wll see what can be done with this.

That structure looks pretty close already! Wire to hold shape?

 

[BobbyLane]

That structure looks pretty close already! Wire to hold shape?

The shape is there, in terms of the natural primary branch habit (up n out) . I'd like some trunk thickening though. Those branches would naturally need clipping back at some point closer to trunk.

Im sort of in two minds, to clip back some branches short now, because there's lots of short nodes closer in. Or do you allow everything to grow out for thickening, then risk those nodes which are there now to not be there in a few years of not cutting back. Because essentially thats what happens on Beech, Hornbeam, Oak, Field maple etc, the latter two becoming very course. You often see bonsai that were never cut back hard, then you get these branches that are unable to back bud on old wood again.

If anyone has any thoughts on this please chime in! Cut back to closer nodes now or risk losing that opportunity?

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Quercus robur can bud outside of nodes so internode length is not an issue. I grow mine out strong and then cut back because continuous pruning seems to let them abandon branches entirely after winter.
Six years down and still learning their behavior.

Mine stand in water and they're in prime health.

 

[BobbyLane]

Quercus robur can bud outside of nodes so internode length is not an issue. I grow mine out strong and then cut back because continuous pruning seems to let them abandon branches entirely after winter.
Six years down and still learning their behavior.

Mine stand in water and they're in prime health.

Ive had a couple in the past. But never known them to bud outside of nodes, you mean like an Elm? Im not convinced, ive got a couple so will see
So if I cut back a branch to zero nodes, it will backbud? Thanks for your input, will see how it goes!

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Ive had a couple in the past. But never known them to bud outside of nodes, you mean like an Elm? Im not convinced, ive got a couple so will see
So if I cut back a branch to zero nodes, it will backbud? Thanks for your input, will see how it goes!

In my oaks dropping limbs is more of an issue than budding. I might be wrong but I'm convinced I've seen mine bud from internodal areas, like an elm.
Then again, at some positions I can't differentiate between node and internode and my oaks have been growing super compact since forever; their second flushes go lengthy, their first never do that.