AusBonsai

This is a five needled Caucasian pine which I am growing. It presently stands at 42" (107cm)
The old needles were plucked in our Autumn (2 months ago). I have ambitions for it. =Don.

Nice Stymie, how long have you been training it?
S.

hey don, if you can get some of those branches to back bud or find a way to style them so as to bring the foliage in closer to the trunk this will be a very nice tree.

This pine has only been in my possession for three years. The absence of back budding is a real pain. You will appreciate that I am reluctant to remove the offending branches with foliage away from the trunk and start from scratch. Experiments such as partial pruning and needle plucking are ongoing. I have also tried nicking the bark beyond places where I would like foliage. Any other suggestions are welcome. =Don. PS- snaking some branches to bring the foliage in is another option.

With most pines,if you don't pinch the candles in Spring, leaving them till Autumn to pinch out the tips, you will get back-budding next Spring. Also leave the old needles on. Otherwise, you can try approach grafts with some of those long branches.
Penny.

Wire is a big help. You can shorten branches by putting judicious bends in the branches. If you look closely to the masterpieces ,you will see that is what has been done. Hope this helps. Pup

Point taken on board Pup thank you. The majority of branches on this Caucasian Pine are as thick as many trunks and will be very difficult to bend at all. I would welcome any suggestions to promote back budding on five needled varieties.