AusBonsai

Hi all thought I'd ask some opinions on this red pine...


I was originally going to use the upper branches.. To form a downward facing pad on the upper left of the tree and a small apex above that, but looking at it this morning I'm thinking of using the two smaller branches coming out midway of the trunk what are your thoughts...

Sorry pal but some of you people out there need to learn how to drop photos correctly !!! Go to any one of my posts and click on a photo then hit the expand button on it and look at how much detail one can see. This allows us to view your tree in detail and give you a more accurate assesment. There are instructions on this forum as to how.

Sorry Tony..

Using tap talk let me know if this is better.

eliass, that's quite a big tree, but oh boy! is it in poor condition! Before thinking of styling, get it in good health again. Could be that it needed repotting, or a better soil mix, or simply more regular watering and fertilising....
Without knowing its history and getting more details, it's hard to tell.
I'd remove all that wiring, and find out what it is that pine needs in the way of basic care, pronto!

Lisa

Thanks Lisa ... The tree was originally grown to be used in landscaping.. The photo may poor but what lead you to assume the tree was in bad health... It is very leggy.. But it has a lot of Mycorrhiza fungi in the roots and plenty of new shoots... Depending on the direction I take the tree I may attempt to get some back budding or just let the top grow... I am curious to see if people see any potential for a substantial bunjin?

Hi Elias,
I think those lower branches will prove to be very important, if more backbudding can be produced that is even better.
Perhaps the energy balancing methods used for red and black pines should be employed at this stage by removing all of the spring candles at the apex.

Hi ellias, this tree has tons of potential for learning. A raffia wrap of the upper branches and bringing them down for a classic Literati tree. I would love to have my way with it. I would study some classic designs and go slowly. This would have a low hanging branch with a classic apex. I will see if i can dig up a photo for you.

The photo may poor but what lead you to assume the tree was in bad health... It is very leggy.. But it has a lot of Mycorrhiza fungi in the roots and plenty of new shoots...

That's quite a mature tree, eliass, which in the ground as a landscape tree would have been quite a large size by now. If it had not been kept for a fairly long time (? I presume...) in a styrofoam box, but cared for as we do of a bonsai, it would not be so leggy now, but would have well developed side branches, while the colour of the needles would be a rich green. The best growth now is of recently developed young needles, maybe from the candles of this year? But unless I am mistaken that is the only healthy foliage it has.
I have no desire to offend, just wish the best for this pine. If it is now receiving good care, the Micorrhiza should greatly contribute to a rapid recovery of the tree.
Good luck!

Lisa

LLK wrote:eliass, that's quite a big tree, but oh boy! is it in poor condition!
I'd remove all that wiring, and find out what it is that pine needs in the way of basic care, pronto!
Lisa

I'm no expert but i don't see it as being in poor health in any picture posted!....
CK

There are instructions on this forum as to how.

I've had a look and a search around the site Ant? Do you mind pointing me in the right direction for this info

well my 2c worth which doesn't count for much -

1/ grow it as a very large bonsai over 1,2 metres high and develop branches as an informal upright

2/ wrap the trunk in raffia and bend it into a interesting literati style

3/Don't bonsai the tree and instead plant it in the garden as a landscape specimen tree.

I think this sort of look could be achieved in time.

Thanks Bohdi....something like that would be nice one day.