Cork Oak – Growing Old Together

Botanical Name: Quercus suber

Common Name: Cork Oak

Story of the Tree

This tree began its life as a tiny 2-year-old seedling, just 5 mm in diameter, gifted to Michael in 1990 by fellow bonsai enthusiast Tosh Saburomaru. Grown from an acorn, the tree’s foliage is larger than typical cork oaks, suggesting it may be a natural hybrid with coast live oak.

Tosh offered simple but wise advice:
“Grow it in the ground, get it big—and grow old together.”

Michael followed that guidance, cultivating the tree in the ground for seven years. When it was finally lifted, a beautiful surprise was waiting—an intricate root system that inspired the tree’s current exposed root style.

Today, that seedling has matured into a bold and character-filled tree, carrying both a personal history and the spirit of shared bonsai wisdom.

Exhibited by: Michael