Newly Aquired Cork Bark Oak

What do you think of my newly acquired Cork Bark Oak. It's a Shohin about 9" Tall



Now the question. I'm a little embarressed to ask, but here it goes. 1. Do I let the new main branches grow only to the length I want or let them grow out (how long) and then cut back? The secondary branches let grow to 3 or 4 sets of leaves then cut back, correct. I have read but my 1st question is just not clear to me. (Like photo below)



Thanks for lookin

Tom

I think I would let everything grow for a year or two. Those branches are still too small to do anything with. You want them to bulk up, and you want more of them. This fall, or better, perhaps, next spring, you might move it to a larger (but not much deeper) pot without disturbing the roots, then let it grow for quite a while. Let new branches form where they will and when you have lots to choose from, post another picture.

I'm gonna move this to "Bonsai Questions."

Thanks Jim Sorry for posting in wrong place. Thanks for the advice

JimLewis wrote:I think I would let everything grow for a year or two. Those branches are still too small to do anything with. You want them to bulk up, and you want more of them. This fall, or better, perhaps, next spring, you might move it to a larger (but not much deeper) pot without disturbing the roots, then let it grow for quite a while. Let new branches form where they will and when you have lots to choose from, post another picture.

I'm gonna move this to "Bonsai Questions."

Hi,
If this is "Quercus suber", the species that naturally grows around the Mediterranean, be careful to protect it in the winter: Michigan is not exactly the place where olive trees and Q. suber (they have roughly the same range of habitat) can stay outside the whole year round. I lost the only one I had a few years ago, even though it was in a cold frame. When in a pot, several days with temperature below 5° Celsius will kill them when in a pot.
Take good care of it, it's a beautiful species.