Northern Red Oak Advice

[Ja_De]

I came across this Northern Red Oak in a neighbor's yard, It's between 8 and 10 feet tall, the main trunk is approx. 4 inches in dia. and the second trunk is about 1.5 inches. These are joined as the photo shows and this part is mostly punky and rotten. I'm wondering if... or thinking rather that these can be separated into two trees. This is pretty much the case and seems that only a little "nudge" in that direction is needed.

I'm asking if anyone has any thoughts regarding the splitting of these trunks, cutting through the rotten section. I read somewhere that oak takes a significantly long period of time to develop the appearance of the aged, gnarled bark typical of a mature oak tree, and this is a mark against an NRO, or any oak for that matter being trained as bonsai. This specimen to me has a good start in the direction of such bark and so it seems a good choice.

I plan to collect the tree in the spring and perhaps chop the trunk, IF the tree seems able to tolerate this. Since winters here are mild ( today it's 43⁰ F ) I may cut a circle around the tree to sever any roots reaching outside of two feet in diameter now as a headstart on transplanting. Also I may relocate the tree and continue ground growing the tree. Would this be alright ? I would dig a large "pot" and fill with a soil mix providing good drainage and ample nutrients.

Any counsel/ advice on this intended course of action would be welcome and appreciated.

Happy Holidays to all!

 

[Gabler]

Northern red oak isn't worth the trouble. Look for a nice pin oak, white oak, or burr oak.

 

[Ja_De]

Northern red oak isn't worth the trouble. Look for a nice pin oak, white oak, or burr oak.

Thanks for your input. Why do you believe the tree to not be worth the effort? Any particular reason?

 

[rockm]

The trunk base is not all that great to begin with. Not much there worth the trouble of digging it out and nursing it through recovery

Willow oak tend to be the best native oak in this region to work on. I’d bet you have some around. Pin oak can be good too. This ain’t.

 

[Gabler]

Big leaves and coarse branch structure.

Rockm makes a great suggestion. I don't tend to see much willow oak growing in my neck of the woods, so it wasn't the first species that came to mind, but snag one if you find one. If you can provide winter protection, live oak is a great choice. My experiments with blackjack oak are also promising, but it's much too early to recommend the species.