Black Pine 2

[Jon Chown]

Well, I've just finished reading up on all of the literature that I could find on Black Pines and at last I feel that I know when and how to get some shape in mine. The most dissapointing statement came from Brent Walston who states that it takes around 50 years to develope a decent trunk on a Black Pine - Oh well, I'll just have to settle for a Feminine tree as I just don't have another 50 years in me.

Here is another one that I have been working on for a few years. Unfortunately, I think that the branch structure is too coarse.

Black Pine 14-12-2008.jpg

Jon

[anttal63]

jon boy all the things you hate to hear. chop chop and chop is your answer to a fix here. a serious trunk chop at least half way down is in order and allocate a new apex. then you will probably need to chop ya branches in hard and as close to the trunk as possible. this will be the quicker and sure method. if you are gonna take ya time ( and im not talkn little chops per year) you could get 1 or 2 airlayers out of this one. there is a few options there for future style's that will definately make a better tree than is now. i wish i were able to see it in person and chew the fat with ya. alternatively you should perhaps get together with peterw. he has an understanding of jbp's.

again i want to stress to all that when we get emotional and precious about chopn our trees, is when they get away from us. australian trees are still very much in developement so much chopping is still needed to create the articulation needed in bonsai. taper, movement and character. we tend to build trees and branches as quick as our trees allow us. so as to have a bonsai that we can admire and be proud of. nothing wrong with that lots of learning has been done in this journey. BUT we must also realise that our tree cannot stop there. some years we must take more drastic steps and restyle and rebuild our tree, so that one day it CAN reach its potential as a BONSAI.

[Asus101]

The most dissapointing statement came from Brent Walston who states that it takes around 50 years to develope a decent trunk on a Black Pine - Oh well, I'll just have to settle for a Feminine tree as I just don't have another 50 years in me.
Jon

there is a way to get thick trunks on a Japanese black pines, but its a method best used when they are started from seed. it only takes about 5 years to get a nice trunk with aged bark.

[aaron_tas]

there is a way to get thick trunks on a Japanese black pines, but its a method best used when they are started from seed. it only takes about 5 years to get a nice trunk with aged bark.

please go on...

[Jarrod]

This method is good from what i have read, only thing i would change is that ( ive had sucess with this) is to start with the candles you remove in december, in a hot house, then you get a bigger starting point, i have 2 in the ground that have metre long lions heads after 2 years

[Jon Chown]

Antonio says....
we tend to build trees and branches as quick as our trees allow us. so as to have a bonsai that we can admire and be proud of. nothing wrong with that lots of learning has been done in this journey. BUT we must also realise that our tree cannot stop there. some years we must take more drastic steps and restyle and rebuild our tree, so that one day it CAN reach its potential as a BONSAI.

This is perhaps one of the most profound statements that I have read for some time. It should be printed at the top of every page so that we remember that creating good bonsai begins with the trunk. Thanks Antonio.

Question: Do Black Pines air layer easily or not?

Jon

[Jon Chown]

Asus, that is a great read and I'm sure it will work but I have never been tempted to grow from seed - too impatient I guess.

Jon

[mudlarkpottery]

Hi Jon. I posted some info on an article you would be interested in reading, but I put it on the other black pine thread. I hope you find it.
Penny.

[Jon Chown]

Thanks Penny - found and added to my Black Pine How too file.

Jon

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi Jon,

I am not sure if air layering black pine is easy or not. I have done it once last year, on my 10 years black pine, it rooted this year. And I have cut it down about 12 weeks ago. The layered tree is still alive.

(I will do a post on this.)

But this is a one time only. So I am not sure.

Regards,

Viet.

[Asus101]

You can airlayer black pine, but its success rate is low, and can take between a year and three. its better to get the nebari right at the start or don't bother with a nebari at all.
Pine dont need a nebari as such, but having one is a bonus non the less.

[anttal63]

You can airlayer black pine, but its success rate is low, and can take between a year and three. its better to get the nebari right at the start or don't bother with a nebari at all.
Pine dont need a nebari as such, but having one is a bonus non the less.

that is now out dated information they air layer well if the conditions are right and any where between 4-6 months.

[Asus101]

Oh? You have learned some things?
Please share, its good to share information with the community!

[anttal63]

Oh? You have learned some things?
Please share, its good to share information with the community!

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?t=935 now careful with that info it could be dangerous in the wrong hands thats why there's so much crap written out there.

[Pup]

Oh? You have learned some things?
Please share, its good to share information with the community!

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?t=935 now careful with that info it could be dangerous in the wrong hands thats why there's so much crap written out there.

I agree written information is fine. If it has been proven.