Neglected Willow Oak

[Jay Wilson]

I managed to work on some of my neglected trees this weekend. Mostly just went down the benches yesterday and pruned off the worst of the wild growth. I spent several hours today working on this willow oak.

1st pic. Tree gone wild.
Second pic. After the rank growth trimmed off.
Third pic. Halfway through defoliating.
Fourth pic. One side after the leaves are removed.

More in next post.

 

[Jay Wilson]

The other three sides and a closer look at the best side of the nebari.

 

[october]

Beautiful tree.. Very natural looking. I would expect to see this tree in a field or other place in nature.

Rob

 

[Smoke]

I'd like to expect to see it in my back yard!

Bravo, Al

 

[tmmason10]

Damn, it looks like a tree! Very nice work thanks for sharing.

 

[milehigh_7]

Jay this is what I was saying before, you have a style that is unique and very nice. Excellent work!

 

[Zach Smith]

Very nice willow oak, Jay. I really like this species.

Zach

 

[jk_lewis]

Have you defoliated this before? Quercus is the last genus I'd do it on, but . . . .

Great tree.

 

[Jay Wilson]

Thanks folks. I'm happy that some of you see a tree in this tree....It's what I'm aiming for.

I was actually a bit surprised with the tree when I got it cleaned up. This ones been on the back burner for a while now, just getting a trim like a hedge now and then. There is still a ways to go though. A couple of big chop scars that need worked so they continue to heal. The two apexes are too heavy at this point so I need to address that.

All in all though, the trunk is starting to get some rough bark, the twigging is getting pretty fine for an oak and the leaves are starting to reduce quite a bit. Three or four more years and this tree might be an acceptable bonsai.

Jim,
I don't remember if I've defoliated this particular oak before, but I've defoliated some of my willow oak, some water oaks and some laurel oaks before with out noticeably setting back the tree. I'm curious as to why you wouldn't defoliate a Quercus. Maybe I've just been lucky in my ignorance. Could be my climate though.

 

[mcpesq817]

Very nice willow oak! I'm working on one myself that I cut down from a 15-20' nursery tree down to about 12 inches or so. Am working on developing the primary branches/sub-trunks similar to what you did. Yours gives me a lot of inspiration - great tree!

 

[Mac In Oak Ridge]

Jay,
When this leafs out again and the leaves harden off could you post a before and after photo in a new thread? I have one, not nearly as nice a trunk but none the less it is about 2" in diameter. I cut it back hard to three branches this past spring and it now looks like a chimney cleaning brush. I am going to cut it back again hard next spring and develop ramification.

I'd just like to see the effects of defoliating this species. Many Thanks, Mac

 

[edprocoat]

That is very sharp! personally I would like to see it arriving in a box in my mail with Happy Birthday written on it.

ed

 

[Jay Wilson]

A little update.

I cut out the top of the main limb and took out a good bit of the apex.

Here's a picture of it starting to leaf out and another one with it further along.

Mac, I'll post a picture after it is fully leafed and hardened off.

 

[Mac In Oak Ridge]

Jay, That is one really nice tree you got there. It will be interesting to see if you can get any leaf size reduction from defoliating. As well as it is coming back you may be able to do it twice a growing season. Perhaps it'll be like beech and it will take 4-5 years to gradually get smaller leaves.

Please do keep us informed about the progress of this tree.

 

[Jay Wilson]

Thanks Mac, I'm glad you like it.

I expect to get some leaf reduction from defoliation based on past experience but I would think it would get its best reducing after a couple of years in a smaller pot. It's been in this box for several years but I think it doesn't restrict the roots enough. All in the fullness of time....