Saghalien Spruce - Ezo Matsu

[RevoEvoS]

Saw a documentary and a good looking Spruce/Pine tree which was created by Saturo Taguchi known as Ezo Matsu 'Saghalien Spruce'.
Wondering what other names are used or specie its from?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epb4tZOZpN0 Video link at 40:00- 44:00min mark it shows the tree

[treeman]

Pices glehnii. It comes from northern Japan and Islands to the north (now Russian)
VERY slow growing but great material! It's not common at all here but I have it.

[RevoEvoS]

Pices glehnii. It comes from northern Japan and Islands to the north (now Russian)
VERY slow growing but great material! It's not common at all here but I have it.

Got plenty of time when I acquire

[Webos]

Treeman, you might be able to answer this.. Jezonensis and glenhii. I seem to hear them mentioned almost as if they are the same species. Just how close are they in terms of suitability to bonsai?

[PeterH]

Treeman ,

Do you have any advice on refinement methods for this variety,


Regards,

Peter

[treeman]

Treeman, you might be able to answer this.. Jezonensis and glenhii. I seem to hear them mentioned almost as if they are the same species. Just how close are they in terms of suitability to bonsai?

Sorry for the late reply Webos.
Even the Japanese get this (names) wrong sometimes. I've often seen glenhii as labled as jezoensis in the picture albums. Picea glenhii is the one used for bonsai bit Japanese don't bother with botanical names very much. P jezoensis has long, flattened leaflets and, although I've never tried it, I have read it is not very good and I have not seen it used.
P. glenhii has very fine short leaves and form beautiful mounds of foliage in time (lots of time!)

[treeman]

Treeman ,

Do you have any advice on refinement methods for this variety,


Regards,

Peter

Most important with this species is you cannot rush it. Due to its severe natural habitat, it grows only slowly. Very vigorous terminal shoots may reach 100mm long if left un-pinched but you have to pinch so you only really get about 20mm per year-if that. It puts out one shoot in spring (uneavenly over the tree) and that's it! No more till next year.
So refinement starts and ends with pinching new growth. After a few years you can thin it out and wire to arrange the branches but this is a tree which really tests your patience.
They are the head and shoulders above any other conifer by far for group plantings. (If you can get a range of sizes) They also look superb as single, twin trunk or three tree plantings. They are just ''made'' for bunjin.
When working on this tree you need to respect it. You can't treat it like a back pine with all the bending and the hacking and the twisting and the chopping.

[PeterH]

Thank you Treeman,

This advice will help me build my tree in the coming years.


Regards,

Peter

[Andrew F]

Does anyone know if this species is tolerant of sub tropical conditions? 5.c - 42.c with med level of humidity?

[Mick B]

The tree comes from the Kurile Islands north of Japan. The USSR took them back!? Its not cold enough here in Australia for this tree.
Mick