Black Pine - Tilted

[MJL]

It was just after Xmas last year - after dropping my parents at the airport (back when Victorians could travel) - and I saw this tree in a Bonsai Nursery over the other side of the city (Baloc’s). Dead straight trunk. And if you know Baloc - there’s not much straight there!

I purchased it because it cost about the same as a slab of Asahi (probably because it was straight) and I thought it would last longer ... hopefully about 40 years longer before I leave this mortal coil.

My decision to buy was also influenced because it had some age on the trunk and lots of growth close to the trunk. “I can rebuild that”, I thought and banged it in the boot!

I had also started lessons but they are on hold now - so I’m flying solo. Anyway - I removed some unwanted branches in Autumn. (Sort of wish is left the top for a Jin - alas, I didn’t!) That said, I reckon a shari will appear in the top spine in due course.

A month or so back I repotted. Removed 75% of root mass and dropped in a much looser mix that all my pines are in.

Titled it for a ‘slanting style’ and purposefully left a branch front side to help mask the straight trunk in future.

The tree is bursting into life now.

I know I should know by now but see all the buds emerging - is this when I bud select and leave say two in the direction I want growth? (Or R3 are saying take back to one? As per your advice in an easier thread today.) Or do I not bud select now at all. Indeed - perhaps have disrupted this tree enough this season and should just let it thrive.

Anyway - photos below tell the story to date. R3 - this is the tree you asked about when o posted it in a different thread.










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[Ryceman3]

I know I should know by now but see all the buds emerging - is this when I bud select and leave say two in the direction I want growth? (Or R3 are saying take back to one? As per your advice in an easier thread today.) Or do I not bud select now at all. Indeed - perhaps have disrupted this tree enough this season and should just let it thrive.

Hi MJL,
I do remember seeing that last shot in a thread not so long ago!
I would say this tree is in a different level of advancement to the shohin semi-cascade. You'll be looking to build branches here, not focus on ramification, and with that in mind I would be seeking to get growth and thickening through the prospective branches. Definitely wouldn't be bud selecting to one on this tree. For sure you can bud select to two. It's a safe option that almost guarantees you don't end up with knobby branches/taper issues but it may mean that thickening of the branch is mildly constrained (eg: potential thickening from 3 or 4 branches growing as opposed to 2). You could also leave some excess buds to develop as sacrifice on areas you want the most thickening/growth if you see the need. I would leave all needles and focus on growth, I doubt decandling is required this year but I'm only looking at a photo ... you're in a better position to judge that.
It's a nice size trunk and I like the line you have selected, I would be building up the primary branching this year so I consider this tree is in a more developmental phase rather than refinement, hence the differing strategy. (as usual though, just my opinion). Hope that makes sense.

[MJL]

Cheers for the advice mate. Appreciated. Looking forward to getting back to lessons with Scott ... so muddling around myself for a season of two .... (I could do Zoom lessons but in truth I have way too much video conferencing during the week to then do it with Bonsai too!) Keep safe and warm.... it's bl@@dy cold today.