I like oaks. The first entry of this blog on January 1, 2019 was about my developing Quercus agrifolia. Today’s entry is for another California oak, the canyon oak, Quercus chrysolepis. I purchased this oak from the Lily Rock Nursery in Idyllwild, California on September 11, 2016.
The tree today.
The tree a few days after purchase.
The tree several months after purchase.
The first trunk chop.
Initial wiring.
First repotting.
Bare-rooted.
The bare-rooted tree in its new pot.
Frequent watering will be critical while the tree establishes new roots. I generally water at least once a day in summer but tried to water more frequently in this case.
New growth a month and a half after repotting. The tree made it through this critical period.
New growth is an iridescent golden-bronze.
Removed the thick forking trunks from the top of the tree and created a new leader.
My wiring is not “show-quality”. I reuse wire, and often leave the ends of wire uncut so I can use the full length again on a future tree. I may begin rethinking this approach.
The tree on the benches during its first summer after purchase.
The tree with unpruned branches to thicken them at the base. The acorns are Quercus chrysolepis collected during a trip to local San Diego County mountains. See their current status later in this post.
Long branches pruned, with the leader and other main branches rewired.
Spring growth. I decided to leave the new sprouts at the base of the tree to thicken the nebari and lower trunk.
The base of the tree.
Opposite side of the tree in late spring. The main trunk has a long, boring, straight stretch before it gets interesting movement.
Removal of most of the main trunk to eliminate the straight section. This shortened the tree considerably and altered my plans for it.
Wired up a new leader from what had been a secondary branch from the main trunk.
Summer growth.
Pruned.
Tentative front of tree. Most smaller side branches are left on to thicken the trunk but will eventually be pruned off.
Right side.
Left side.
Back of the tree, today.
Canyon oak seedlings from the acorns shown with the tree on December 20, 2017 entry of this post.
beginBonsai 