This was purchased from Mike  , an avid collector of conifers and rare plants in Beechworth . It is slightly different to the  Number #1 tree having a blue hue to the foliage .This twin trunk will require some harsh cutting back as most branches are out of proportion to each other . I have decided to remove all the larger branches and retain most of the 1-2 year old shoots and basically start again . Removing the large branches i worked 1 trunk at a time , the  shorter trunk was well established with finer branching . The taller trunk had very few to work with however it will only have the upper 1/3 of the trunk with foliage on it .While both trunks will need several years to heal the scars i have retained all the younger growth to aid the healing process .I could have cut back to stubs and jinned them however i want a clean knarly trunk .All the cuts have been sealed with red clay to prevent the trunk bleeding .This dries to a hard crust and aids healing .  I have retained a small branch  at the base , this will be used as a sacrifice branch for fattening the base . A little  more removal  until i had a happy medium  retaining  the best possible amount of desirable branches . With the pruning done its on with the Aluminium wire for the trunk before wiring the branches with electrical coated copper wire . The tree is then shaped and a quick re-pot into a 400mm plastic pot , at a slightly different angle to the original position This will remain in the pot for a few years to allow for some serious root run . The finished height of the trunks are 500mm and 750mm , the base is 50mm . These Mugho’s have a growth rate of about 200mm per year so it will fill out in a few years .I will continually pinch out the growth over the growing period next year to induce back budding . For now its onto the bench and into the next project .

 

Cheers Alpineart

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