Scrub Oak Bonsai

Scrub oak in joshua tree national park july 2016.

Scrub oak bonsai. It has variable dull green leaves which are 1 5 3 centimeter long and 1 2 centimeter broad leathery on their top surfaces and somewhat hairy underneath. They mature in about 6 8 months after pollination. What is do is sow the acorn on top of a tile burried in the ground. Utilizing three trimming sessions prevents shrub oaks from excessive growth and makes them manageable.

It grows up to 6 meters in height. Oak is not traditionally used for bonsai in japan but its use began in california in the 1950s. Nice open structure to see branching. Flowers are yellow but inconspicuous.

So preparation is required when sowing oaks. Trimming a shrub oak reduces vertical growth. The large trunks and small leaves of the oak create attractive miniatures of old full grown trees. Coast live oaks the most commonly used species in bonsai locally are readily available for collection in our area and have smooth bark and leaves with a slight curl and spines on the edge.

The california scrub oak is a small evergreen or semi evergreen shrubby oak in the white oak section. The solitary or paired brown acorns are 1 3 cm long and 1 2 cm broad and pointed or egg shaped with thin caps when mature. But even when one sows and acorn the taproot may grow quicker than the above ground sapling. Follow with a third trim the first week of august.

In cooler more exposed areas scrub oak is usually a small compact shrub but in warm or sheltered areas the plant can spread out and grow several meters high. Oak have a deep tap root and will therefor need a serious root trimming when collected from the wild. Elevation about 3500 feet in sonoran desert type area. All are evergreen oaks and both respond well to wire training and root pruning.

The best time to trim is soon after the chance of frost in the area has passed before spring growth. Trim again during the middle of the spring. Could almost put this tree rock and accent plant in a tray or shallow pot.