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Cut to the chase: I would wait until the spring to do any root work

Long way around: Live oaks (Quercus Virginiana, anyway) aren't really all that fussy about having their roots messed with--as long as it's the proper time. I suspect it's much the same with other western US "live oak" species. You don't say what species you're working with.

I've had a large collected Texas live oak bonsai (Quercus Virginiana "Fusiformis" an upland subspecies native to hotter drier areas) for almost 8 years now. I have repotted it twice during that time, which involved untangling and trimming a 75 lb root mass. I've removed almost 50% of it at one repotting with no ill effects.

However, I've done this just before the new leaves break in the spring, just as I do with other broad leaved deciduous trees. Live oaks are deciduous. They just drop their leaves in the spring just as new growth is to begin, instead of in the fall. There really is no difference in caring for them and caring for more typical deciduous species.

17-Oct-2007	#3
rockm bonsaiTALK ArchMaster Join Date: Oct-2003 Location: Fairfax, Va Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 4,561	Cut to the chase: I would wait until the spring to do any root work Long way around: Live oaks (Quercus Virginiana, anyway) aren't really all that fussy about having their roots messed with--as long as it's the proper time. I suspect it's much the same with other western US "live oak" species. You don't say what species you're working with. I've had a large collected Texas live oak bonsai (Quercus Virginiana "Fusiformis" an upland subspecies native to hotter drier areas) for almost 8 years now. I have repotted it twice during that time, which involved untangling and trimming a 75 lb root mass. I've removed almost 50% of it at one repotting with no ill effects. However, I've done this just before the new leaves break in the spring, just as I do with other broad leaved deciduous trees. Live oaks are deciduous. They just drop their leaves in the spring just as new growth is to begin, instead of in the fall. There really is no difference in caring for them and caring for more typical deciduous species.