Quercus phillyraeoides

I wonder if someone can help me confirm the id of this shohin Live Oak. I think it is a Holm Oak, or Ubamegashi Oak, Quercus phillyraeoides, native to Japan.
It started as an acorn lying under a neatly trimmed Live Oak hedge at the entrance to the Kinkakuji Temple, i.e. the Golden Pavilion, in Kyoto, Japan in 2000.
Nine years later I planted it in this unglazed pot by American potter, Sara Rayner. It has nicely shaped oval leaves. Rarely does it lose all its leaves at one time.
So far it hasn't made fruit but is shaping up to be an interesting and moderately unique bonsai in America.




Here's a close up of its leaves.

Hi Rob
I think you are correct with Quercus phillyraeoides but its not Holm Oak thats Quercus ilex, any how a good looking potensai (as Dan Barton calls it)

James

jamesransom wrote:Hi Rob
I think you are correct with Quercus phillyraeoides but its not Holm Oak thats Quercus ilex, any how a good looking potensai (as Dan Barton calls it)

James

James, thanks for the tip. I Googled Holm Oak (which I should of done at first) and found that Quercus Ilex is a Mediterranean tree. My Japanese reference material was incorrect. I have seen some photos of full size Ubamegashi bonsai - very nice.

Hi Rob
I think your Quercus phillyraeoides will form a good tree i have not done this type only working on Q. ilex at the moment. Belive the trunk matures well on Q. phillyraeoidesres, have to keep us posted.

Good Luck

James