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Oak tree in pot

#1 · 2nd January 2022, 4:12 pm

Hi, I found a tiny oak sapling 3 years ago that had self seeded in a discarded plastic pot. I kept it as I couldn't bear to pull it up. Now I've put it in a much larger terracotta pot and it's now about 3 feet high and similar wide. I'm just wondering if I can keep it in the pot (I don't have the space for a full sized oak tree in the garden) or if it won't survive. Any thoughts or advice on how to keep it in the pot if I can? Thanks.

#2 · 19th January 2022, 1:14 pm

Hi,

Thanks for getting in touch asking about trees in containers.

How lovely that you've managed to accidentally propagate an oak tree! Wonderful stuff. Usually its a rogue squirrel or bird that allow such things to happen.

Sadly an Oak tree will only really survive the first 5-7 years in a pot before it need to be planted in the ground or huge pot unless you trim its roots and constrain it. You could bonsai it but it will take considerable skill. You can read how to bonsai here if you're interested.

Another option is to put a message on some of your local gardening groups and offer it to someone with a larger garden or a local park then it can grow to its full potential!

Hope that helps and happy gardening.

Lee