Black Pine suggestions

[CraigM]

Hi,

was looking at this tree today, originally purchased due to the structure of the roots. The thing that bugs me the most is the bow in the lower trunk, would appreciate some ideas?

Couple ideas at present:
1) remove the top of the tree and use the long branch, can try and create a short compact tree by coiling the branch, could look good... seems a bit of a waste though throwing the top away, could perhaps airlayer above the bow.
2) remove the top and develop semi cascade, would require quite a bit of growth. Branches on long branch currently one side so would require grafting.
3) could try and use a rock to hide the bow, could the use the top of the tree and form an apex and branches sweeping over the top. Don't normally like using rocks in this manner.
4) others?

Any suggestions / ideas welcome...

[Daluke]

Where'd you get the pine from?

Tough material.

Have you had luck air layering?

[kcpoole]

Hi,

was looking at this tree today, originally purchased due to the structure of the roots. The thing that bugs me the most is the bow in the lower trunk, would appreciate some ideas?


4) others?

Any suggestions / ideas welcome...

What about wrapping with raffia, and bending it much more. bring the Apex section right down.
Easy to do with pines as they are quite amenable to severe bending.
You can bend and twist the first branch to make in sympathy, or remove it and use one of the top brnaches as the first when much lower.

Ken

[CraigM]

Thanks Ken, good idea, will definitely consider. Depending on how much I can twist and flatten, could introduce a left branch in the middle and keep the lower right. Will play around with a couple sketch options.

Daluke - tree was purchased from Bonsai Sensation. Air layering should work without much problem, hassle is I am impatient don't want to wait 6 months before styling. Having said that don't want to waste the top of the tree either, so will definitely consider.

[anthonyW]

Hey Craig,yes I too like your surface roots

The last image I see something,keeping it simple the head as draw with bias to direction and one branch with direction bias.

Can see a rock there,maybe a bit more gnarly and cosy(fitting into it)..anyway see what you think...there is a nice little tree in there....cheers

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[CraigM]

Thanks Anthony, appreciate the drawing, can see where you're heading. Will have a closer look at the tree later, had not considered the option of removing the rear branch in the image.

[GavinG]

For my 2c., I can't ever see you getting as much character into that trunk as you have in the roots - you just can't bend so thick a trunk as tightly as you'll need. I think your first idea would be best, although it might take longer - cut back to the first low right branch, shorten it, bend it severely, snd go from there. You might need to be careful - if you thicken the trunk too much you might lose some of the funkiness in the roots as they thicken.

Great base, thanks for posting.

Gavin

[CraigM]

Thanks Gavin, valid points as well. If the tree has an intended direction more than happy to invest time, don't mind reducing a tree for future benefits. Just want to consider all options.

[CraigM]

Attended BSV workshop yesterday, decided to try semi-cascade route, used a clamp to accentuate the bend. Pushed the bend until cracks noticed, was done slowly over an hour. End state looking at planting in a crescent pot. Reduced excess growth / decandled.

Now to leave the tree to recover, revisit again in 3 / 4 months. If not happy with results will go plan B, shohin. Have retained the branch as back-up, might be included in semi-cascade as well.

Thanks everyone for the input...