Quercus Ilex from Portugal!

This Quercus Ilex (Azinheira in Portugal) was collected in February "by chance", even not knowing quite what to do with it! What was it really like its powerful base with a beautiful shell, holes and some dead wood.
I think the best solution would be a "sumo bonsai" quite compact, as shows a sketch of an experienced friend of bonsai here in Portugal. It will be a job for a few years ...

And you guys, what do you think? Make your virtual ...
Thank you!

Nobody in to comment or "sketch" my quercus ilex??!

Thanks!

Looks to me like you already have a pretty good idea. I'd think about wiring the branches to get the bases of them in the right places before they get too hard.

ola bruno

i draw something that it is possible, whith pacience, one branche responsible for the top may take a while to grow that much and thicker butis possible, grow free for a 2 to 4 years...

the branche on the right side can be from the back of the tree...

Thank you Bob!
In fact some branches already are becoming thicker, but in this species the branches, when young, even something thick fold easily.
The tree will stay another year without any cuts, but next winter will pass wire on the selected branches, to give them direction based.


Rafael,
Thank you for your beautiful sketch!
In fact the branch that will form the highest part that will grow without cuts the time you said. The branch did you think of the draft, and that comes back, is a good option because there are already branches to grow in that area.



More opinions?!

Bruno,
How is your Quercus?

Rui Marques wrote:Bruno,
How is your Quercus?

Hello Rui,  
Unfortunately this tree died about one year. I think I gave her pruning and let not grow enough roots, because when I took the vase, or a root had done in almost two years.  
Now I have a new project, more ambitious, is doing a year that is me.
This time I will not give infirm pruning for 2 years at least. This species has this behavior, we have to let it acclimate to their new condition and let her win roots before working.
What do you think of this ilex? Thanks!
Abraço!

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Hi again,

I think your project is very good.
As you said, this species has his own behavior, and you are doind the right thing, not to prune it and provide it with a good fertilizer regime to settle properly.
After that, patience and hard work with it.

Regards.

PS -- > The Literati Portuguese Forum is missing someone.

Grow Baby Grow!!  
Opinions please.
Thanks!  

Hi!
Finally, 3 years after collection, this tree was transplanted, even to an "intermediate" pot. Many fine roots and a good nebari that was partially buried!
For now only slight pruning, let's see how reacts to these jobs! Running fine will be wired/pruned in June.
Some branches of "sacrifice" have been left because they need to thicken well everywhere, specifically on the left, below.
80cm from the base!
Opinions?
Thanks!

Fantastic trunk Bruno!

Nice proportions and the quality of the bark is particularly good. Glad that it's growing well and looking forward to future updates as the branching develops.

What's it growing in by the way? Pumice?

Regards

Richard

Richard S wrote:
What's it growing in by the way? Pumice?

Hi Richard!

Thanks for the comment!
He has been in 100% expander clay for 3 years. Now it is 50% expanded clay and 50% pumice.

Regards

This is so very impressive. I like the smooth tapering and the bark is absolutely fantastic.
Could we possibly enjoy other sides of the tree, please?

my nellie wrote:Could we possibly enjoy other sides of the tree, please?

Thanks Alexandra

I'll wait for the tree bud, which should happen in 2 to 3 weeks, and then I'll post photos from other angles.
This tree is indeed fantastic, maybe it will be one of the best ilex in Portugal, that i know! It's a very common tree around here.

Regards!

Hi!
This tree did not respond as expected in early spring, waking up only in early summer. I think that because the transplant was done too soon...  
Some branches need to grow free for a few years.
More opinions, please.
Thank you!


Front


Right side


Left side


Back

That's a great tree in the making, but I wouldn't have bent the first branch, on the contrary, I would give it a more upward angle.

My 2 €cents worth...

Impressive. I like the way you plan to go, Bruno.

I have seen this post a few times over the last few years. every time I have wanted to comment about the lowest branch, but decided to wait and see what another season of growth revealed.

As the tree is pretty much settled I have to say that I do not like the lowest branch being so low and straight. It would be much better slanting upwards at about 45 degrees? Or reduced by 8-% in length. Or even completely removed?

THe trunk and the rest of the tree are perfectly in proportion, but that branch has never been in harmony with the rest of the tree?

I think the lowest branch could be kept, but shortened. It has good thickness proportional to the trunk, and a good position. It's just rather long.

AlainK wrote:That's a great tree in the making, but I wouldn't have bent the first branch, on the contrary, I would give it a more upward angle.

BrendanR wrote:... ... It would be much better slanting upwards at about 45 degrees?

Do you believe that a branch with that girth could be bent? Regardless of direction...
It is my impression that the guy wire has not contributed a lot to the change of direction of the first branch. But what do I know?

Hi Nellie

You would for sure never move it with wire.

But I'd put a screw into the branch, and an anchor screw into the trunk, and make sure they are both strong and suitably placed. Then a guy wire will probably slowly be able to move the branch. I'd say 2 - 3 years and never too much bending at a time. But it could be achieved.

If not, then I would also consider notching the branch, but not until I had first tried a guy wire.

Thank you very much for your reply, Brendan!
This is an old tree and the bark is so very fine that I wonder whether notching would be a risk...?
What do you think?

No don't notch it until you have tried a guy line for a few seasons. Unless you are in a hurry?

BrendanR wrote:... ...Unless you are in a hurry?  

Hurry?
Is there such a word in bonsai vocabulary?