Hi Matthew, I also admire your trying to save a link to this cool oak tree and applaud your efforts. Firt of all, in most parts of the country, this is the worst time to try and move a tree. Normally it's done in early spring or the fall, however in this case you didnt have a chance to wait that long. Yes you will need a larger container for sure as oaks grow a large taptoot. A deeper pot is going to be better than a wide one for an oak. How long do you plan to leave the oak in the container? If you only plan to leave it in the container for a month or so, then you can use a good quality potting soil mix and add some perlite for drainage. If you plan to leave it in the container for more than a month then I suggest you build a much better soil using pine bark, turface and granite. I'll help you with building that soil if you wish. Just dont leave it in regular potting soil for more than a few weeks. Also, don't overwater it as it's easy to overwater a tree in regular garden soil or potting mix and cause root rot. If you would like more details, look on the Container Gardening forum for many threads on how to grow woody plants in containers. There's a TON of information on that forum. HTH pardak

Hehe Quirky, well good, I'm not slow after all. SteveGA -- my Father-in-law didn't know what was going on until after it was done. It was a birthday surprise...she told him she was hiring someone to come mow down the overgrown brush on the unlandscaped areas of the property. They only go down to the cabin on weekends and she paid the landscaper to come in during the week prior to his birthday. He had no prior knowledge, it's her I'm a bit peeved at for not thinking it might be a good idea to at least let me know what she wanted to do. I really don't have any problems with it if they had decided to go a different way. I tried a more minimal approach so that the cabin would blend in with its natural woodsy surroundings but I think that style was lost on her. What's there now is certainly going to be beautiful but moreso what you would see in front of a big new subdivision or shopping center. I wouldn't think Knockout Roses are a smart choice for under a tree canopy but hey, this guy was a "professional" so who am I to argue. Not that they won't live but I wouldn't think they'll bloom too great without much sun. He also moved the Hosta I had planted in a shade bed near the house out into a part of the front yard that actually gets hot afternoon sun. I guess I should be thankful he didn't throw them away, and I know some Hosta can stand more sun than others but I have a hunch they won't do so great there. Will have to wait and see the results next year. Maybe I'll sneak over there and move them back under cover of darkness lol! Danielle

Not a good time of the year to transplant anything. Always think Spring when transplanting. Day's are longer and warmer which spur growth. Plants have a better chance of recovering. I can't tell how big your plant is. Cut some of the branches off and leave some leaves. Keep it warm and in a bright window and hope for the best. Spring is just around the corner. If it was healthy before this, it should come back. Jane

The tiny bug looks like a fungus gnat. They are usually just an annoyance, being harmless to humans. Their larvae eat fungus and decaying organic matter in potting soil. However, when an infestation becomes large enough the larvae start feeding on plant roots. Damage is worse on small plants, and especially seedlings. Here are 3 ways to control them. Fill a shallow container (such as a tuna can) at least 1/4 inch deep with equal parts water and apple cider vinegar, and add a drop of liquid dish soap. Stir gently and set the container on top of the soil where the gnats are congregating. Use yellow sticky traps to catch them. Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth to the top of dry soil. It works best when the plant is watered from the bottom. If you believe a plant is suffering from root rot, you should remove it from the pot. Cut off any dead or damaged leaves. Pull away the soil and wash the roots. Look for any rotted roots and cut them away. Remove any remaining soil from the pot and wash it with hot water and bleach. Refill the cleaned pot with new potting soil as you replant the damaged plant. It has become difficult to find a reliable potting soil. I bought a very expensive brand for years, then suddenly plants potted with it refused to grow. Maybe it was a fluke, but I tossed it and went to another brand. Originally, potting soil was primarily peat moss with perlite and vermiculite. Peat is being replaced with coco coir and composted wood waste from sawmills. Sand and soil are rarely used in commercial potting soil mostly because they are too heavy. You should plan on fertilizing every plant in potting soil, but you have to tailor the fertilizer to the plant. That can mean only fertilizing during active growth, or seeking a fertilizer with specific nutrients. The terms natural and organic mean nothing. The USDA does NOT regulate garden products the way it regulates food products.