Fortunately the shutdown coincides with end of season pine maintenance which I have been procrastinating and putting off. Now there's an opportunity and no more excuses.
For those who are new to pines there are several distinct stages in pine development:
1. Growth - allow free growth to thicken the trunk and establish strong roots. Pines do not shoot well on bare wood so it is essential to maintain some healthy needles where future shoots are required so occasional judicious pruning is required.
2. Reduction - prune back to the lowest healthy needles to get new buds and fresh shoots from which to grow the tree.
3. Ramification and maintenance - Spring shoots are removed in early summer so more new, smaller shoots will form. In autumn reduce new clusters of shoots to 2s, remove older needles and balance remaining needles to balance the tree's energy.
As I have trees entering the final phase which have been decandled last December and it is now autumn at my place it is time to do the last.
This process is tedious to say the least. The larger and more ramified the tree the longer this process takes but it appears to be essential to produce tidy, well ramified pine bonsai.
Today I started with some younger, less well developed trees to get some practice for the main event
This is a Japanese Red pine. It is quite old but grown when I did not understand the needs of pine pruning and development so it was allowed to grow too long. I've spent a few years trying to tame it and now it is time to try to make something from the results o far. There is still a long way before I'd call this tree a bonsai but there is potential Every year moves it closer and closer to show ready.
Those with good eyes and larger screens may have noticed some grafting tape on the right branches
Not one but 2 breaks while lowering those branches. I was told that red pine was a bit more brittle than JBP but still had to push it a little further 
However, after the second, lesson learned and the left branch is wound with inner tube rubber to reduce breaks while it was bent successfully 
I have just started the ramification development of all these pines. Each year will add another layer of sub branches to the tree. You may be able to see that some areas have been thinned out to leave more room for the more desirable branches to spread out and get more sunlight.
You can also see I've done a little wiring where needed to adjust the branch layers and spacing.
Fortunately these trees are relatively undeveloped. I managed to get through all of 5 trees today
The larger, better ramified trees will require a little more time in the coming days so roll on limited social interaction
Maybe gardening is an essential service like hairdressing?
