First JBP

I got this back around November. I think it originally came from a club up north in MA somewhere. I pulled some older needles when I got it, roughly placed some branches in new positions, ut haven't done much else to it yet. It's got some issues with the branch structure, I know everyone around here hates on the straight trunks, but they don't bother me so much. For me, the main issue is just the thickness of the primary branches in relation to the trunk and the height they are on the tree. I'm assuming this would be a good candidate for a bunch of grafts up and down the trunk? I think I just really need to compact and refine the needles to bring it into scale, given the small girth of the trunk. Thoughts?

I was planning on going to one of @Adair M workshops this past weekend, but couldn't make it. Adair, is there any chance to run into you at Plant City to get your thoughts on it? Previous owner said he HBR last spring ('17) but not to do the other side this year, but maybe next year ('19), not sure why. It does seem to need a repot though, the water doesn't soak in very well. So I may just end up repotting this year anyway.


In Nov when I got it






Trunk detail

Can’t tell much about the roots with the spaghnum on the soil. You don’t need it, it’s holding too much water.

I think pulling the branches down, a lot, would help.

To look something like:



Sure, we could meet at Plant City. PM me to schedule something.

Yes! Definitely want to get these pulled down to style it something like that. Exactly the image I had in mind.

Cool tree, I'm thinking of venturing into the JBP realm this year... We'll see what's for sale at the DC Nat Arb show....

Nice bark. Looks pretty healthy, if a little yellow. Maybe a little too damp. Work in a little Miracid into your fertilizing routine. Wait a couple years to do the other side proper. Looks like a fall prune, did you do any cuts or was this how it came? It's good to have a plan before you start pulling needles. At least leave the one ones growing horizontally.....but you have to plan your wiring first.


I love your tree!

theta said:

Thoughts

Click to expand...

I just move up and on to thinner branches and evaluate wether or not using new growth you can control will still make a good, artistic, realistic, bonsai, penjing, etc tree...

For me, just working with the top foliage is where I'd be...

A bunch of grafts aren't going to give you taper to make this a formal upright.

Walter says Make Ugly Uglier!

You know the trunk is controversial...
You don't like the branches..(me either)

I would cut the branches off and build something so beautiful with that top foliage on that one crooked branch that the people you are talking about hating the trunk..

Are fucking forced to love it.

That is the power!

Use it!

Love this one!

Sorce

LanceMac10 said:

Nice bark. Looks pretty healthy, if a little yellow. Maybe a little too damp. Work in a little Miracid into your fertilizing routine. Wait a couple years to do the other side proper. Looks like a fall prune, did you do any cuts or was this how it came? It's good to have a plan before you start pulling needles. At least leave the one ones growing horizontally.....but you have to plan your wiring first.


I love your tree!

Click to expand...

No, I didn't do any prunes to it. It looks they were cut a while back though, the gray putty is real old and cracked and starting to come off. It did look a little yellowish too me too this winter, but I had noticed a lot of pines in the landscape that were similar yellowish color too, so I didn't think too much about it. But will def look into the miracid and less damp conditions.

I'm referring to the tips of the branches. I don't think there is putty out there.

Oh, yeah I clipped a couple of those this past fall.

So I met up with @Adair M a few weeks ago and we looked over the tree and got it started down its path. Decided on the best front, wired out all branches, etc. The final position will be tilted forward a little and to the left so the trunk is more upright and forward. Eventually will be cutting back to inner buds and be bringing the foliage more toward the trunk. Can't thank you enough Adair for taking the time, so looking forward to taking this tree to the next level.

Now I'm on the look out for a nice nanban style pot for next Spring repotting...

I was about to suggest tilting it just slightly to make it less straight up and down - and presto, you did! Not that I know anything about JBP - I don't dare try one yet myself until I know better what I am doing, but as a professional artist I'm always trying to keep my eye on the overall design flow. I really like this tree though and I am so glad that Adair was willing to assist you. I'm about to move out of North Georgia up into NC but it won't be far for me to to drive back to visit and try to tap into the experience of some of the people of the area. I hope it does really well for you.