Coast Live Oak, aka quercus resurrectus

mike_p

This is an old collected oak I've owned for more than 20 years. In 1997 it started to go south little by little. By 2000, it appeared to have morphed into the "sayonara style". Foliage died, branches died, and I was unhappy.
However, based on past advice and experience, I didn't give up on it. I kept up watering and light feeding. About 3 years ago, it started budding! I transferred it into a large tub and crossed my fingers. More and more it budded. Some old branches started coming back, and new branches started growing. When the proper season came around, I put it into this pot, and it continued to grow.
Over the weekend new buds started to break, so I trimmed off about half the leaves to encourage more budding.
Because of branch dieback, the front is now the opposite side from before. I have high hopes that it will be an exhibit worthy tree again, if not this year, maybe next.
Height from pot rim is about 31 inches.
BTW, Tosh Saburomaru collected this Oak in 1975.

Mike

Attached Images

toshoak2005.jpg (66.9 KB, 149 views)

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FLABonsai

Very nice tree!! I whould love to have an oak.I Don't see to many oak's as bonsai's.Whould do good since I live in florida.

cbobgo

Any theory on what caused the decline? What were the roots like during this period? Did you do anything other than your usual care during that time?

- bob

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mike_p

Bob, I really have no idea what happened. The tree was due to be in the exhibit at the GSBF-BCI San Jose convention in, I believe. 1997. I was doing my usual early spring repotting, and saw that there had been no root growth over the past year. Very unusual, as it was normally very vigorus. I had to pull it from the exhibit, as I was sure then that something serious was happening. No new buds formed that year, or for years after.
Over the following year I dosed it with Physan, a commercial viricide, mildewcide, fungicide.
I kept after it, because I know that you shouldn't give up on a oak for at least 2 years. I was told this by an expert years ago and experience has taught me that it's true.
So, the moral of this story is: You think your oak is dead? Don't give up!

__________________
Nature is perfect.
Man's attempts to improve nature,
Are imperfect.
MP@BBB Studio

There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way
Gautama Buddha

rockm

Flabonsai,

Southern Live oak (quercus virginiana) is a relatively common bonsai subject in your neck of the woods. Miami bonsai has had a few good ones listed online in the past. Willow oak is another eastern oak that makes pretty nice bonsai. The leaves of eartern red and white oaks tends to be too large for bonsai purposes.

The California live oaks probably won't fare as well in your location, as they like more arid conditions and the humidity down there might encrouaged fungus (which can plague native oaks too).

Newt

Beautiful tree and pot! They work well togther (for me)! Glad you didn't give up on it.

Newt

Attila

That's a spectacular oak.

Great to see it coming back, and indeed it could be a showpiece.

Aaron_K

That's great news on what is a very beautiful tree. A lesson should be learnt by all here - IE don't just throw what looks like a dead tree on the compost heap!

Congratz on your patience and perseverance!

Regards,

Aaron

Larry

Handsome treee, and a great success story!
Whats a 'live' oak, is this an american species, not heard that before.

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