Well a little information would help... Is it in the ground? How big or old is it? Do you understand that this is the wrong time of year to dig an in-ground tree and chances of its survival are very slim even for a very experienced person? I think you need to cool down and not be so 'desperate'. Bonsai is not about that and there are many, many trees out there. Do you really want to take the (very likely) chance of killing it, and the stress of the trip alone (in what circumstances?) haven't even been mentioned. The tree will still be there next year unless you know something I don't, but I bet your whole outlook by then is changed and you won't even remember it.

If it were the proper time of year, I'd dig up as large a root-ball as possible without disturbing fine roots.
Then I would keep the tree in a sheltered location (like the north/north-east side of a building) in bright shade at first. After a week, I'd introduce it to more sunlight. A week later, I'd give it a mild dose of fertilizer - maybe quarter strength the recommended dose.

I'd probably make a mostly mineral mix - using some combination of pumice, perlite, turface, granite, quartz - with about twenty percent Bark (for the organic component).

Josh

Thank you guys. I found that the tree is too much for me to handle at this time. As far as me being desperate, I'm really not. I just had one day to figure it out. I decided to order a Live Oak online.

Thanks for your help,

Gardener Guy

Would it have been legal to take the tree you had in mind?

Legal? I suppose so. A nursery owner in the area told me to go dig up a small tree or seedling because not many nurseries sold live oak trees smaller than 6 feet tall. It's not really an issue now because I am back home now. I know that one day I will have the live oak tree in my collection.

Gardener Guy