JPB when can I prune/cutback

[BonsaiButler]

hello everyone been a while...
I am pretty new to pines and was wondering if it is too late in the season to do major pruning on
my black pines. They are quite happy, with lots of new growth and green needles. but they are getting really leggy and some of the branches are waay to thick.

heres one for an example

 

[Guy Vitale]

Ask yourself, what do you envision this tree to look like, are you looking for a larger tree, smaller? If you are looking for a smaller tree, you can start taking out the longer leggy branches and keep the smaller. If you still plan to grow it out, why start cutting back? Contemplate what you want from this tree before taking pruners to it.

 

[BonsaiButler]

do I need to leave any growth on the ends of the branches to keep them alive?
Is it too late for this kind of treatment?

 

[aml1014]

do I need to leave any growth on the ends of the branches to keep them alive?
Is it too late for this kind of treatment?

It's to late to decandle, but it's about the right time to prune back. Leave needles at the end or the branch will die.

Aaron

 

[RickMartin]

It's to late to decandle, but it's about the right time to prune back. Leave needles at the end or the branch will die.

Aaron

At the end or needles on the branch. I ask because if he wants to keep the branch but shorten it up i would think he could cut back to where he wants as long as he has needles on the branch after he prunes back.

Rick

 

[Paradox]

At the end or needles on the branch. I ask because if he wants to keep the branch but shorten it up i would think he could cut back to where he wants as long as he has needles on the branch after he prunes back.

Rick

He should only prune back if there is something to prune back that is strong. What I mean by strong is a bud that has started to extend into a branch, not a new bud or a small, weak branch.
We generally let a new bud we want to cut back to grow for a few years before cutting back to make sure it is strong and healthy and can keep the branch alive when the strong end is cut off.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I do major/structural pruning on JBP in late winter/early spring. The stored energy should result in more growth.

With JBP, you need to start with the end in mind. What is your vision for the finished tree here? I'm not seeing one.

In the meantime, do some reading on how to grow JBP. Understanding how they respond to our pruning techniques will make it much easier for you. A few good links:

A few pine seeds, 6 years later.
https://bonsaitonight.com
https://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/sacrifice-branches-black-pine/
https://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/sacrifice-branches-black-pine-part-2/

 

[aml1014]

At the end or needles on the branch. I ask because if he wants to keep the branch but shorten it up i would think he could cut back to where he wants as long as he has needles on the branch after he prunes back.

Rick

That's what I meant, im just bad at explaining lol

Aaron

 

[RickMartin]

I do major/structural pruning on JBP in late winter/early spring. The stored energy should result in more growth.

With JBP, you need to start with the end in mind. What is your vision for the finished tree here? I'm not seeing one.

In the meantime, do some reading on how to grow JBP. Understanding how they respond to our pruning techniques will make it much easier for you. A few good links:

A few pine seeds, 6 years later.
https://bonsaitonight.com
https://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/sacrifice-branches-black-pine/
https://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/sacrifice-branches-black-pine-part-2/

Brian
Does it get cold enough there for the tree to go dormant.

Rick

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Brian
Does it get cold enough there for the tree to go dormant.

Rick

Plenty cold enough.

 

[RickMartin]

Ok then..thought you were to far south for that. I probably wont be swwing that here.

Rick

 

[BonsaiButler]

I do major/structural pruning on JBP in late winter/early spring. The stored energy should result in more growth.

With JBP, you need to start with the end in mind. What is your vision for the finished tree here? I'm not seeing one.

In the meantime, do some reading on how to grow JBP. Understanding how they respond to our pruning techniques will make it much easier for you. A few good links:

A few pine seeds, 6 years later.
https://bonsaitonight.com
https://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/sacrifice-branches-black-pine/
https://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/sacrifice-branches-black-pine-part-2/

thanks for the advice and input.
as for my vision for this tree I am also having a hard time seeing a bonsai in it.
any pruning or styling suggestions would be appreciated.
thanks

 

[markyscott]

Are trying to grow a large tree or a small one? If large, you should think about letting it grow. Consider visiting Telperion Farms - they're in your neck of the woods:

https://bonsaitonight.com/2015/05/26/visit-to-telperion-farms/

Interestingly, I think the guy who wrote one of the threads Brian mentioned is pictured in the article above.

Scott

 

[Stickroot]

thanks for the advice and input.
as for my vision for this tree I am also having a hard time seeing a bonsai in it.
any pruning or styling suggestions would be appreciated.
thanks

I would split the trunk from the base to the top, screw a board on the top for a handle and twist the trunk up as tight as you can without breaking it and fasten it in place
In a couple seasons it will show you a style direction.

 

[Potawatomi13]

I would split the trunk from the base to the top, screw a board on the top for a handle and twist the trunk up as tight as you can without breaking it and fasten it in place
In a couple seasons it will show you a style direction.

You cannot be serious!

 

[Potawatomi13]

hello everyone been a while...
I am pretty new to pines and was wondering if it is too late in the season to do major pruning on
my black pines. They are quite happy, with lots of new growth and green needles. but they are getting really leggy and some of the branches are waay to thick.

heres one for an example

View attachment 114715

View attachment 114716

Where in Oregon please?

 

[Milly]

Brian
Does it get cold enough there for the tree to go dormant.

Rick

We very seldom get frost here and yet JBP grow very well here.

 

[BonsaiButler]

Where in Oregon please?

Roseburg

 

[Eric Group]

Ok then..thought you were to far south for that. I probably wont be swwing that here.

Rick

I have seen JBP growing in the tropics of South Florida before. I don't think they necessarily need an extended dormancy like White Pines and many deciduous trees do.

 

[Anthony]

Growing down here about 27 years from seed from Japan and the UK.
Tropics.
Only part we haven't figured out, is our version of needle reduction, though we did do it
accidentally.
Good Day
Anthony