Oaks are strong trees, most are deciduous but some are evergreen, they produce very characteristic fruits (acorns). There are several hundred oak species which grow in Europe, North Africa, Southwest Asia, Central and North America. The European Oak (Quercus robur) and the American White Oak (Quercus alba) are quite similar in appearance and characteristics. Both are deciduous and frost hardy. Mature trees can become up to 40 meters (130ft) tall and 800 years old. The mighty trunks can reach a diameter of 120 cm (4ft). Oak wood is used for the construction of buildings, ships, tools and furniture since ancient times. Many wild animals eat the acorns. The heavy branches of the trees bend outwards and develop a characteristic zigzagging line. The crown gets wide in old age. The lobed leaves are 10 - 20 cm (6 inch) long, dark green and turn yellow and brown in autumn. Many southern and Mediterranean oaks are evergreen and not frost hardy, some are smaller trees or even shrubs. Oaks are very well suited for bonsai and easy to care for, but even the frost tolerant species need winter protection when they are planted in containers.
Oak Care
Quercus
If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.
Humidity
Normal
Lighting
Part Sun
Temperature
10°C - 24°C
Hardiness zone
min 7b
Difficulty
Medium
How to Care for the Plant
Water
Water the oak thoroughly when the soil gets dry, but avoid constant soil wetness. Water less in winter but never let the rootball dry out completely.
Pruning
Hard pruning is done in early spring before the buds open. Strong terminal buds can also be removed then. New shoots are cut back leaving two leaves. Don't defoliate oaks completely because it would weaken them too much, but you can remove the largest leaves now and then. Trim the upper parts of the crown attentively because they grow stronger than the lower branches.
Fertilizer
Apply solid organic fertilizer once a month or use a liquid fertilizer every week during the growing season. Don't feed with very high nitrogen which would cause large leaves, long internodes and increased susceptibility to insects and mildew.
Sunlight
Oak bonsai plants not only tolerate full sun better than many other bonsai plants, they also need a good bit of direct, full sun, preferably in the form of morning sun that is not so hot and drying during the summer. During hot afternoon hours, oak bonsai need to have filtered sun to full shade.
Soil
The growing medium of any oak species should be about 40 percent organic material and 60 percent aggregate or nonorganic substrate.
Popularity
96 people already have this plant 25 people have added this plant to their wishlists
Discover more plants with the list below
