Jack away bud! Isn't that what we're here for? Let 'er rip!
A nasty knuckle is only an opportunity for future fun things to happen if you can avoid the idea that you have to use every branch the tree has provided you. In other words; if the only branches you use, come from the knuckle, you have made yourself the bonsai version of a knuckle sandwich.
The base on this tree is absolutely worth the effort to exploit. Do you know if this is one of the dwarf cultivars like Mops or Valley Cushion? You have to look at the tree from that view point, every thing else is secondary and almost anything can be regrown. I would get myself into the shade and remove this tree from the nursery container and with fingers only remove all of the lose crud from the top of the soil mass so that you can get a good look at the trunk and the primary branches. I can already see that there are some branches that will need to be removed; the question is which ones? Did I mention put it back into the container when done looking? Of course you know that but some may be scratching their heads in wonderment.
I assume for starters all questions come from the view point of what would I do if this tree were mine? If this tree were mine I would not hesitate in removing the left branch, leaving a significant portion of it for a good sized Jin then letting the tree develop further till I can see to remove something else. Developing Mugo Pines for bonsai in the beginning is always a process of elimination. This has to be done carefully and intelligently. If you remove too much at any one time you can kill the tree. There is no doubt that you will not have a very attractive tree at this point but you will have a better piece of raw material to work with that has a future.Vance :
Any thoughts? It is starting to get warmer in Massachusetts and would like to do something with this.
Joedes
I really don't see how a raft could be an option here. When it comes to Mugos I seldom put a title on which style I plan on shooting for. In fact I seldom have a preset idea on any particular style at all other than a really old and demented tree---and yes I said demented. Think tree Daniel San. In my experience I have found any attempt to force a Mugo into any one particular form usually ends in boredom or disaster. Give the tree time to express itself. As you see things happening you can help it along. I don't know if any of this makes sense to anyone but me and most people think I'm nuts any way, but that's the way I look at things. Very seldom do I find a Mugo that cries out for anything. You have to remember this is a tree that makes its living by being adaptable. It grows in so many ways and directions and has so many branches and trunks and needles and junk and knuckles and crap your problem is getting a feel for the tree and what it might do. If you force it, it will rebel. But; once you start to see a direction go for it all at once if it does not envolve removing more than 60% of the tree at any one time in which case you cut/chop and grow.
Vance:
I was think along the lines of a raft. Comments please.
Joedes
