5YR Native Tree Challenge - Orion_Metalhead's Pinus Strobus

[Orion_metalhead]

Current state. Flushing out nice. Was able to remove wire which held well. Balanced candle length on the branches to be kept. Left the sacrifice alone. Reduce a couple branches to closer new growth.



Close up of branch arrangement:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Did a slight trim on this. I removed older needles and pruned back the sacrifice to a single leader. Photos tomorrow since it was getting dark. Will need some wire but Im really loving how its coming along.

 

[Attmos]

Wired today. Changed front to better accomodate the branch locations. Pictures dont really give a great feel for the subtle trunk movement. A slight angle change should create a really nice interesting trunk. Sticking with a taller literati style. Leaving the apical branch as sacrifice. Front beanch that curves in front will be half-jinned with shari to follow down trunk potentially.

Next year need to 1/2 bare root repot into a smaller training container. Needs good fertilization, and I need to find a nice pot for the tree. Pot search may be my goal for this winter. Something traditional round, grayish brown, unglazed, relatively simple is what Im after so if anyone wants to offer a design for commission, Id be happy to talk.

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Did you ever cut that sacrificial branch?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Did you ever cut that sacrificial branch?

No. Im leaving it long term. Id like to thicken up the tree as much as possible before cutting it off. I want to have a sacrifice option for after the contest is over. Ill upload a photo of current state tomorrow.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Sacrifice branch

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Wired today and cleaned soil and fall fertilized.

Before:


After:


Upper section.


Saw this as a wire option for single branches. Gave it a try. Not a fan.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Going Strong!!!