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Hi there, I've just been given a 5ft Oak tree in a big pot (pot diameter 46cm / 18inches). The base of the tree is 6-7cms and it's 4cm about 2 inches up from the base. I took it because she was just going to throw it out and I wanted to try the 'chop' method. I have another oak that I've grown from acorn in a pot but it's only 3 years old so nowhere near thick enough yet. It's currently the middle of May and I'm in Cardiff, South Wales, UK so I know (or 'think') that now is not a good time to chop it. I wil wait until next Feb but should I do anything with it whilst I'm waiting?? It's been in the big pot for at least 5 years with the same soil and it hasn't been fed at all. My instinct (or impatience)? tells me to do something but I don't know if it's the right thing to do. Can anyone offer any advice please?

I think that now is the wrong time to cut this tree down. I would do it after leaf fall in the winter. I have never cut an oak that size down so it is just my feeling that it is the wrong time. It is growing well and I think that allowing it to grow through this year would strengthen it ready for the winter.
There is at least one club in your area, so have you been in contact with them? There are members who might have a different idea than me. If you search UKBA you will find a list of clubs.?

Oaks are terrible at backbudding in my experience. I would not plan a bonsai project from this kind of material.

Thanks but I’m sure I’ve seen plenty of videos of oaks being chopped??

Anyway, my question was more about what you think I should do now; just leave it in the pot with the 5 year old soil or change it??

Thanks.?

Thanks for the reply. I will check UKBA but I’ve always been reluctant to join a club because I have nothing to offer them! ???♂?

Do? not repot until next spring, it is far too late to do it this year.?

Wonker wrote:

Thanks for the reply. I will check UKBA but I’ve always been reluctant to join a club because I have nothing to offer them! ???♂?

What you have to offer is another member. Most clubs of any kind are made up of people who like to be around people. The people in our club love to show off their trees and love to answer questions about them. Go to a club meeting and give them a chance to show off.

Just because there are videos of Oaks being cut down does not mean that they are still alive!

The branches on your tree is like one meter away from where they should be for a bonsai with that trunk thickness. You can cut back, but as Geoff comented, it may die.

I understand that it is not the answer you were looking for. But one need to have realistic expectations.

If you do not want to risk a big cut. You can go in and remove 50% of the canopy every year and hope for backbudding. Then you can perform the big cut when there are lower branches and less risk. I guess 10 years from now until you have the basic shape.

To me you have a nice garden tree suitable for topiary. In order to save time in development it makes sense to only develop trees that have potential. You will learn how to identify potential by time.

Very true.