One step back?

[leatherback]

Last year I bought a smal oak, collected from one of the growers field. After removing the burlap and field soil, it was putted up, thinned a little and lightly wired. Besides that, the tree was allowed to recover.

I was hoping to get smme back budding, but nothing. So.. In order to get rid og long leggy branches, I decided to do something drastic. What is the saying? Sometimes you have to take a step back, to go forward two?

Before trimming & wiring:

And now:

Any thoughts on the initial framework I created?

 

[Cypress187]

First i want to say it's a nice tree and nice work. There is a branch on the inside of your bend and the thickness of that second branch is thin.

 

[sorce]

Nice....

In time. Maybe take the top off too.
About mid way.

Nice.

Sorce

 

[mattspinniken]

very cool tree and I think you did a good job cutting back. If it were my tree I would remove the two bottom branches, unless you plan to really shorten the tree in the future. Thats just me though.

 

[leatherback]

Thx guys.

I would remove the two bottom branches, unless you plan to really shorten the tree

Hm. Yes and no . I really like those old, free-standing trees with branches to the ground. I think that is why I left them. I realize it probably produces a better bonsai with the lower branches removed. Ah well.. In 5 years I can still take them off Thx!

 

[leatherback]

About mid way.

midway between.. ?

 

[milehigh_7]

What species??? The oaks I have had responded very well to hard pruning and will throw shoots all over. Try and find some humid acid your oak will love you. You will likely want to shorten the branches more and really crank some movement in close to the trunk after it strengthens up some.

 

[sorce]

midway between.. ?

?

Sorce

 

[leatherback]

What species

Q Robur. Should indeed throw loads of buds. I now trimmed back to the last visible bud; Trust is good, but certainty is better? Hm. Even more movement. Thought I had bend them quite badly already for it not being juniperus.

?

You tryin' to kill me? My heart just dropped. I can see where you are going with that. not sure I am ready for such drastic measures. I know. I am weak.. Will have to flip this on a table and look at it some more before convincing that your virt does look as a good frame.

 

[Cypress187]

You tryin' to kill me? My heart just dropped. I can see where you are going with that. not sure I am ready for such drastic measures. I know. I am weak.. Will have to flip this on a table and look at it some more before convincing that your virt does look as a good frame.

I wouldn't even had dared the first cutting job

 

[sorce]

In time. Maybe

not sure I am ready

I'm not either!

I think time will tell....cuz I do like the tall....

But I love the idea of "compacting" making the tree look bigger.

I really don't think its ready, health wise, (not that it's not healthy now!), or design wise...

I only thought about that after thinking those first 2 branches should go too,
But in this "mean time",

I would be letting those bottom ones go to get some trunk down there....

Love it either way!

Sorce