Nursery Araki Pine Plan

[We're all Mad Here...🎩]

Hi all, I've had this sort of overgrown Sylvestris (Araki) pine for at least a year, maybe two and am wondering what you might suggest. The main trunk is quite girthy, but no movement until the branches start spreading out in their own directions. There are 2 larger lower branches I imagine could be used to continue to add some movement from trunk line, but lmk if you have any ideas from the pics, much appreciated.

its healthy, but not thriving as i jeed to move it from under my porch and into fuller sun i believe. Removed a bunch of dry old needles today to give air.

 

[Gabler]

I see a broom. If it's okay to style an elm like a pine tree, then it's okay to style a pine like an elm.

 

[We're all Mad Here...🎩]

Maybe something like this, which would include removal of a lot of branches that don't follow one of the two large bra ches stemming from the trunk? I am not entirely sure how much sacrifice a pine can take at one time, and how much cut paste is "too much"

 

[bwaynef]

I'd start by clearing out dead needles from the crown and from the pot. Remove any branches you can determine won't be a part of ANY plan.

How comfortable are you with grafting and what is your timeline for a presentable tree (whatever your definition of that is)? How willing are you to reduce this tree ...and do you have a saw?

 

[RODERLO]

Something to consider is that fact that there is inverse taper on the trunk due to the fact that so many branches originate from the top of the trunk.

You might want to take into account a way to camouflage this in your final design, or at the very least prevent creating a composition that highlights it even more!

 

[We're all Mad Here...🎩]

I'd start by clearing out dead needles from the crown and from the pot. Remove any branches you can determine won't be a part of ANY plan.

How comfortable are you with grafting and what is your timeline for a presentable tree (whatever your definition of that is)? How willing are you to reduce this tree ...and do you have a saw?

Zero experience grafting. I'm still very much learning and for me this is a learning experience. I'm not married to it, and could reduce it greatly. I don't think of timeliness too much that way in the sense that if I did something cool with it and was able to keep it alive to grow as a unique bonsai I'd be happy with that. I don't get too caught up on adhering to specific styles too much, really just what I think looks cool to me so far. This one is a bit of a unique one since it does have some age, I haven't worked with pines really, and there obviously needs to be significant reduction in my mind. The pic I posted of an example I think would be close to an idea. As for inverse taper, I don't care per se, but of course finding a way to limit the view of it or however it goes is definitely important as a learning tool. Thanks!

 

[We're all Mad Here...🎩]

I'd start by clearing out dead needles from the crown and from the pot. Remove any branches you can determine won't be a part of ANY plan.

How comfortable are you with grafting and what is your timeline for a presentable tree (whatever your definition of that is)? How willing are you to reduce this tree ...and do you have a saw?

And no saw, but can aquire I do, however have a big tube of cut paste!

 

[bwaynef]

Here's what I saw. The blue is where you have to make some decisions. I *think* I'd use the right branch to become the apex and try to bend the left one down, but that's going to be a challenge. Either way, I wouldn't be in any rush to decide. You're hoping the cutback and cleanup yield TONS of backbuds. Also, you may have to graft a 2nd branch (on the right) after the scar heals. Also, there's a trick to healing scars on pines. Wish I'd known before I made some big chops.

Mull this plan. Before you do anything, clean it up like I mentioned in my first post. This is a pretty drastic plan, but I don't think the tree'd be in any real danger. You'd probably make the cuts this year and then just watch the tree the rest of the year (but water/fertilize as necessary). Depending how it responds you may could followup (the good stuff) this fall or late winter.

 

[We're all Mad Here...🎩]

Here's what I saw. The blue is where you have to make some decisions. I *think* I'd use the right branch to become the apex and try to bend the left one down, but that's going to be a challenge. Either way, I wouldn't be in any rush to decide. You're hoping the cutback and cleanup yield TONS of backbuds. Also, you may have to graft a 2nd branch (on the right) after the scar heals. Also, there's a trick to healing scars on pines. Wish I'd known before I made some big chops.

Mull this plan. Before you do anything, clean it up like I mentioned in my first post. This is a pretty drastic plan, but I don't think the tree'd be in any real danger. You'd probably make the cuts this year and then just watch the tree the rest of the year (but water/fertilize as necessary). Depending how it responds you may could followup (the good stuff) this fall or late winter.

Definitely appreciate you taking time out. I have the morning to take a nice look at it again and clean some more. Also, what's the trick?

 

[We're all Mad Here...🎩]

Here's what I saw. The blue is where you have to make some decisions. I *think* I'd use the right branch to become the apex and try to bend the left one down, but that's going to be a challenge. Either way, I wouldn't be in any rush to decide. You're hoping the cutback and cleanup yield TONS of backbuds. Also, you may have to graft a 2nd branch (on the right) after the scar heals. Also, there's a trick to healing scars on pines. Wish I'd known before I made some big chops.

Mull this plan. Before you do anything, clean it up like I mentioned in my first post. This is a pretty drastic plan, but I don't think the tree'd be in any real danger. You'd probably make the cuts this year and then just watch the tree the rest of the year (but water/fertilize as necessary). Depending how it responds you may could followup (the good stuff) this fall or late winter.

After some research, this may be the Bennett compact variety due to its bushy round shape

 

[bwaynef]

Also, what's the trick?

I'll see if I can find a resource. Unless you beat me to it. (There's SOME disagreement as to how effective it is...)