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Old 15-May-2008   #11
waltr
bonsaiTALK Master
 
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Join Date: Sep-2004
Location: Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Country: USA
Posts: 453
Regardless of whether its a Mugo or a Scotts back budding is needed on this tree and it is accomplished in the nearly same way.
I would not cut back as in the virts above, that's too drastic. Instead cut off the newest shoots once they harden. This should induce some back budding lower down on the branches. Do not pull any needles, very important if it is a mugo as buds only grow from the base of existing needles.
Be sure to fertilize and water well and give the lots of direct sun to get it growing vigorously before cutting and continue through the next few years to have the new buds develop. The additional branches and growth will also help thicken the trunk.

See articles and posts by Vance Wood for details on these techniques. You could have a reasonable bonsai from this tree in 5 to 10 years.
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