Awesome! I thought so, but wanted to check.Looks like dried sap to me and something was cut off in both spots prior.
Funny enough I posted asking here:Yep, looks like sap. Is this an Akamastu (red pine)?
I'm pretty happy with it! My long term goal is increase trunk girth another 1-2" in a grow box and then work on ramification.The buds look very much like red pine.
They’re very under appreciated in the US compared to JBP, but they’re my favorite pine.
I WOULD GUESS THAT SOMEONE ONLY WANTED 2 BUDS ON THE END OF THE ONE BRANCH AND NIPPED THE CENTER BUD, AND ON THE OTHER BRANCH, THEY ONLY WANTED A BUD ON THE ONE SIDE, SO NIPPED THE OTHER ONE.