resurrect old black pine

[shibui]

Lots of talk recently about pine pruning and maintenance techniques. I thought I'd share some pics of the results of not looking after them properly.
This tree is about 30 years. It developed quite quickly but because I was not aware of proper pine pruning techniques it developed long bare branches.

jbp large 2014 pruning1 - Copy.JPG

jbp large 2014 pruning2 - Copy.JPG

I have tried for a few years to induce new buds on the bare branches but because most are quite old I've had little success. I have also tried grafting new shoots closer to the trunk but the old, thick bark makes it difficult and few have survived.
It is now time to look for another solution.
I think this tree still has some potential.
It has a well developed lower trunk with mature bark.

jbp large 2014 pruning8 - Copy.JPG

and good nebari

jbp large 2014 pruning5 - Copy.JPG

The first branch has been twisted and scarred and may be of interest in a new styled tree.

jbp large 2014 pruning6 - Copy.JPG

I can see possibilities to:
Make a cascade from either of the first branches;
Develop another informal upright from the compact branch halfway up the rear of the trunk;
Can anyone see anything else in those pictures?
Any other suggestions on alternative approaches are also welcome.

[miyagiman]

Hi Shibui, I see a tree there looking at photo 1, but without seeing the tree in the bark, it's a bit hard to know if it might work. I'm no computer wiz, so I can't draw a picture. If you lay the tree to the left so the first branch becomes horizontal, it gives the trunk a lot of movement by using the first half of the second branch as an apex. a bit hard to see the back branch you are talking about as to whether it will work into that design or not. more discussion may be necessary if you think that it might work. It could possibly turn into a really nice shohin with lots of movement. miyagiman.

[kcpoole]

Like Miyagi suggests, I tilted the tree but to the right about 30 deg
the left branch bent down and the apex built from the branches already there. Just wired and bent somewhat.

The right branch removed but I cannot see if you have a back one there to use?

Ken

[shibui]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. As you suggest Miyagi, always very difficult to work from just a couple of photos.

I have looked at both these suggestions but the problem of all buds at the tips is still there. I think these solutions would both produce dramatic trees but still with long, bare branches and foliage at the tips. the reason for suggesting a cascade is that I may be able to get away with the bare length of branches better with that style.

The only compact branch with buds along its length is above the first 3. You might be able to pick it out in the 2nd pic captioned 'from the other side'

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll contemplate more with those in mind and see what strikes me.

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Neil,

IMO the left hand curvy branch doesn't fit with the rest of the tree.

I would Jin it; tilt the tree slightly to the right and wire down/bring down the branches near the top on the left hand side close to the trunk; and let the branches on the right extend to the right.

Grant

[GavinG]

I get the possible semi-cascade using the first left branch as the trunk, jin the trunk. It could work well. Another possibility might be to lean the trunk over to the left around 45deg, jin or cut the low right branch, and have a windswept-to-the-left tree - this way the secondary trunk on the left at the top becomes a strong left-moving branch. And maybe sparse foliage at the end of bare branches might suit that style better. The trunk is very straight - unless it leans strongly one way or another, it may not work well at all. Best of luck with it - we are always dealing with the consequences of what we didn't know when we started the tree...

And a Happy New Year, by the way.

Gavin

[shibui]

IMO the left hand curvy branch doesn't fit with the rest of the tree.

Now you mention it I see. I was too busy looking at the bits in isolation and forgot to look at the whole thing. More food for thought......

I'm not sure it will be practical to lean the trunk to the left Gavin. The roots on the right are already higher than the left. There may be more roots below on the right that would allow tilting some more if the upper ones were removed. Need to have a look at next repot.

However if we combine Grant's suggested tilt to the right and jin the first branch with Gavin's suggestion for windswept but to the right (there's already several dead branches on the left side so not much alive that side and the trunk curves to the right as well) I might just get something. Windswept could look ok with longer, sparse branches..... Windswept to the right would also be compatible with semi/ cascade in that direction if I ever decide to go that far.

[Timothy]

Hi people. A question pls. I have one jbp. I am teaching myself ,to work on it, using media . It is healthy and has loads of branches and buds nicely when i trim it ,etc. I want to re-design it . Is it safe to remove a lot of branches at once ? Some could be considered to be primary or "main" branches ? I air layered a branch on 17/12/2014 , and i might want to do more as they are scarce or very expensive over here . It was my first attempt at layering on a pine , so i'm hoping for a good result . Sorry for hi-jacking the thread . Thanks .

[shibui]

JBP layers fairly well. Might take a little longer than deciduous trees but usually works well.