Coastal live oak bonsai

Coast live oak is ubiquitous in the canyons and foothills of southern California, providing food acorns and habitat for wildlife. The tree was purchased as a pre-bonsai from Kuma Bonsai nursery in San Diego in

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Coastal live oak bonsai

I thought I was in for a simple before and after post about a coast live oak until I began the root work. Curious about where this would lead, I began picking at the old soil until most of the rootball had come undone. After removing a few more large roots and picking at the soil for two hours, I was ready to put the tree back in a pot. Instead of returning it to a bonsai pot, I opted to use a large training pot to give the roots lots of space to grow. Will report back when I know more. Keep us posted. Oaks here in the east coast zone 7 bud out and drop leaves about a month after the rest of the deciduous trees. Specifically the Quercus Nigra. Thanks for your help. Maybe we you can justify the weakness of the tree because of the old soil suffocating the roots? Thanks as always for sharing! Thanks, Alessandro! Thanks, Giorgio! If I change my mind down the road and want the tree to look more like a bonsai I think removing the left side would be a great way to go.

I have been taking them both into a heated garage when the temperature drops below

They can be broadly divided into the white oak group think valley oak, Quercus lobata and the red oak group think coast live oak, Q. Within each of these groups the species widely hybridize with each other, making species identifications a matter for experts. Confusing the matter further the leaf morphology can be highly variable from young to mature trees, and even within a single mature tree from the top to bottom of the crown. It does so well here we should consider it an adopted child. Quercus lobata valley oak is the largest North American oak.

Known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in a variety of climates, the coast live oak bonsai is a great option for those just starting out in the art of bonsai. The first step in growing a coast live oak bonsai is to choose the right pot and soil. You should also select a pot with good drainage to prevent water from pooling and causing root rot. As for the soil, a well-draining mixture is essential for the health of your coast live oak bonsai. Watering is a crucial aspect of caring for your coast live oak bonsai. You should water your bonsai when the soil starts to feel slightly dry to the touch. Fertilizing is also important for the health of your coast live oak bonsai. You should fertilize your bonsai every two to four weeks during the growing season, using a balanced fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Pruning and shaping is where the art of bonsai truly comes into play.

Coastal live oak bonsai

Coast live oak—Quercus agrifolia—is an iconic coastal species along the Pacific coastline of North America. As one of the most interesting oak species in the world to be used as bonsai, this broadleaf evergreen never fully defoliates. It maintains its foliar mass and boasts a thick, rigid, spiny leaf as its main identifier. Because coast live oak grows in the Mediterranean belt of the Pacific coastline of California, it has characteristics that prevent transpiration within its aesthetics. Coast live oak is a moderate water mobility tree, meaning it needs to dry out between waterings—contrary to most broadleaf trees. Due to the thicker, rigid leaf and reduced transpiration, oxygen must be allowed back into the system before being thoroughly hydrated again. Because coast live oak grows in the Mediterranean climate in California, it loves heat and can grow in incredibly hot, dry conditions. When kept in a deeper container that has a reservoir of water, full sun exposure will create tight inner nodes, small leaves, and a strong tree that is very responsive to bonsai operations. Coast live oak does not tolerate freezing temperatures when in a bonsai container. The smaller the container, the more susceptible it is, but the general rule is to not let your coast live oak bonsai freeze.

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They are readily available, well adapted to our climate and are rewarding to work with. Like many broadleaf evergreen trees, coast live oak has drier tissue inside its physiological system. The leaf curl is a unique feature of the coast live oaks, don't worry about that. The Lazarus oak! These cookies do not store any personal information. The best time for structural pruning and branching of coast live oak bonsai is in the spring, prior to growth. I have been taking them both into a heated garage when the temperature drops below Loading Comments California Oak. The tree makes use of extensive, horizontal roots near the surface, which makes it the least drought tolerant of California oaks.

This type of tree is native to the west coast of North America and has unique characteristics that make it a stunning addition to any bonsai collection. Coast Live Oak Bonsai has been around for thousands of years, but only recently gained popularity among bonsai enthusiasts. Its natural beauty and adaptability make it an excellent choice for those who are just starting out with bonsais or looking for something new to add to their collection.

Keep us posted. February 11, Bare rooted, tap root pruned. Great post and always interested in your oak progression, my question is what made you determine the health of the oak was poor? Some are hardy only to zone 9. Skip to content Search for:. This is probably a coastal live oak…. It would be helpful to have a photo of your oak to know what you're talking about. Japanese Larch Bonsai. We are devoted to sharing our knowledge and expertise in growing coast live oak bonsai trees—as well as many other bonsai species—through science-based education. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Coast live oak bonsai suffer from a variety of pathogens, however, the main concern with this tree is sudden oak death— phytophthora ramorum —a root-borne pathogen that can be very challenging. Coast live oak can produce a second flush of growth toward the end of July to mid-August, but you want to avoid any heavy reduction of foliar mass or branching as you get closer to fall. Email Required Name Required Website. Skip to content.