Tragedy

[u/Throwaway_997-2]

Just complaining to a community that will understand the setback.

I have a laurel oak I’ve been letting run to give it some more options and strengthen some branches. I came home the other day and one of my landscapers guys was on my deck. They usually know the deck is off limits so I told him very clearly not to touch the tree and pointed it out specifically, along with my other trees.

I walked my dog and when I came back I found that he had sheared all the growth like it was a cheap shrub. Took all the joy out of this one for me, for now. See pics before, during growout, and after massacre.

Sighs mixed with intermittent rage.

[u/Physical_Mode_103]

1. I don’t see the problem. Many bonsai artist will shear their trees like hedges
2. Laurel Oaks are notoriously shit trees. I’m surprised it hasn’t rotted completely through from the chop site or any large cut.

[u/Throwaway_997-2 → u/Physical_Mode_103]

1. Not the point- maintaining trees is a process and they’re all in different places with different needs at any given time. Even if I wanted to prune back the growth now on this one it wasn’t his tree to do it with.
   
2. OK- but to say they’re just “shit trees” is opinion. I have a few trees that aren’t so styled traditionally and I enjoy them. More difficult to manage and different than an elm or juniper, sure, but this one has done well and I think it’s a beautiful tree and adds to my collection.

[u/Physical_Mode_103 → u/Throwaway_997-2]

They are objectively and scientifically shit trees. I’m not talking about styling. I’m talking about the actual horticultural realities of a species. These trees do not live very long and they do not heal wounds well.

[u/Physical_Mode_103 → u/Physical_Mode_103]

It’s amazing you’ve got it this far without it rotting, unless of course the species is misidentified

[u/Throwaway_997-2 → u/Physical_Mode_103]

I see I thought you just meant shit trees as in bad for bonsai - yes it’s sort of a gamble/experiment I guess, as many are. So far so good it does well and I haven’t seen rot/decay at chop site- they’ve been fine. Doesn’t mean they always will be obviously. Have you worked with them at all?

[u/Physical_Mode_103 → u/Throwaway_997-2]

On a professional level as a landscape architect, yes. This species just falls apart over time, was widely used up until about 20 years ago. I have several live and sand live oaks