Japanese Black Pine Design Options

[david in LA]

I picked this Japanese Black Pine up around 2 weeks ago. From what I see I have 2 options;
1. Keep it at it's current height and start developing/refining it.
2. Chop it roughly half way to create a shohin sized tree.

Just looking for everyone's opinions as I'd be happy with either options, or any other options. For size reference, the base is roughly 3.5" wide and the tree is 14.5" tall.

 

[LuZiKui]

To me you have nice taper and movement in the trunk, it'd be a shame to chop it all off to create a shohin size tree out of this one. I'd keep it tall and try to develop from there. You can always chop it later but you can't glue it back on!

Nice looking tree, where'd you buy it from??

 

[Maiden69]

I don't know much yet, but it seems as the intended line following the last trunk chop is this.



Decent line, I don't know if I would consider shortening it that low as mentioned above. I would wire out the branches with the structure you have now and if you don't like it go from there.

 

[david in LA]

To me you have nice taper and movement in the trunk, it'd be a shame to chop it all off to create a shohin size tree out of this one. I'd keep it tall and try to develop from there. You can always chop it later but you can't glue it back on!

Nice looking tree, where'd you buy it from??

I picked up the tree at California Bonsai Studio. They have group meetings/workshops on the weekends, but they're at times I can't make, so I'm asking for opinions here!

 

[david in LA]

I don't know much yet, but it seems as the intended line following the last trunk chop is this.

View attachment 492575

Decent line, I don't know if I would consider shortening it that low as mentioned above. I would wire out the branches with the structure you have now and if you don't like it go from there.

I didn't think of this route. So pull the top left down, and develop the right as a crown?

 

[Wulfskaar]

I picked up the tree at California Bonsai Studio. They have group meetings/workshops on the weekends, but they're at times I can't make, so I'm asking for opinions here!

I feel ashamed. I could probably walk there from my house and have yet to check it out. I may have to go this weekend.

 

[BonsaiDTLA]

I feel ashamed. I could probably walk there from my house and have yet to check it out. I may have to go this weekend.

Jealous you're so close to them!

 

[Nybonsai12]

Nice tree. option 1 For me. I like the height and wouldn’t shorten it. I would Decandle, wire and repeat for next few years, bet it shapes up nice.

 

[david in LA]

I feel ashamed. I could probably walk there from my house and have yet to check it out. I may have to go this weekend.

They had a couple more "refined" pre-bonsai black pines while I was there, but also a lot more rougher material growing in the ground. There was a lot of nice pomegranate pre-bonsai as well.

I had picked up another fat black pine when I was there, but that's a ways out.

Jealous you're so close to them!

Seriously, I had to drive 1.5hrs because of the weekend traffic just to visit them.

 

[BonsaiDTLA]

Seriously, I had to drive 1.5hrs because of the weekend traffic just to visit them.

Yup, I've only been there a handful of times because of the time it takes to get there.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Low down seems several branches at or near same level. Choice must be made what to get rid of. For best development.

 

[Maiden69]

I didn't think of this route. So pull the top left down, and develop the right as a crown?

The last sacrifice removed left the stump in the red circle, eliminate that and cover with cut paste. Carve the cambium around the yellow line for a decent transition with the next section of trunk.



Then remove the lowest right branch as it is bar branch with the one on the left, wire down the branches in aqua, then let the yellow extend for a few years to even the taper with the main trunk. While that thickens you would have plenty of time to develop the ramification.

 

[Wulfskaar]

They had a couple more "refined" pre-bonsai black pines while I was there, but also a lot more rougher material growing in the ground. There was a lot of nice pomegranate pre-bonsai as well.

I had picked up another fat black pine when I was there, but that's a ways out.

Seriously, I had to drive 1.5hrs because of the weekend traffic just to visit them.

I'm excited to see what they have.

Yeah, the 101 isn't fun when there's traffic. I am quite familiar with traffic, as it takes me an hour to get to work and another hour to get home.

 

[Wulfskaar]

They had a couple more "refined" pre-bonsai black pines while I was there, but also a lot more rougher material growing in the ground. There was a lot of nice pomegranate pre-bonsai as well.

I had picked up another fat black pine when I was there, but that's a ways out.


Seriously, I had to drive 1.5hrs because of the weekend traffic just to visit them.

I finally went! Bought a tree and will probably be going back from time to time. Nice people working there!

 

[david in LA]

I finally went! Bought a tree and will probably be going back from time to time. Nice people working there!

Awesome! It's definitely a place I am going to go back to.
If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up getting?

 

[Wulfskaar]

Awesome! It's definitely a place I am going to go back to.
If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up getting?

I got a bald cypress! Never thought I would own one, but this one caught my eye and the price was reasonable, so I went for it. They had a few other trees I really liked too, but this one was cool.