Bud/candle removal on Mugho

[Gerard]

I am not sure about what I am doing
Today I pulled out my clump style pinus mugho with the intention of reducing the number of buds, some branch tips have 8-10 buds. Those which are less green maybe younger or less healthy go first. Then I have been removing buds from the top, bottom and centre. To reduce to 2 buds seems much too drastic so I have been removing about half of them.
The second pic shows the branch tip before nipping some buds

[john tapner]

Look at it this way - each candle becomes a branch. If you leave a group of candles then you will have a group of branches from the one point. Reduce to two candles and you will have the ideal situation - a forked branch, which leads to the ideal ramification.

Looks healthy enough so good luck

John T

[Gerard]

Thanks John,
I have put the tree away for now but you have put my mind at ease, I will most likely return to the task i a few weeks.
Then I will further reduce the number of buds.
Gerard

[anttal63]

gerrard i would do it b4 they burst needles. not much time left.

[Gerard]

Have already done most, where in doubt I have left extra buds to see how thet develop, many are still very small

Gerard