Help/opinions sought

Stevlen

I have come in to possession of 2 trees, Podocarpus and Black Pine - both 24 years old, and both very neglected as far as styling/branch ramification is concerned. They are from a deceased estate, and I would love to be able to give them a new life - both for myself and as a mark of respect to the previous owner.

The following links are to pics of them. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

http://www.flankcompany.com/podocarpus.html

http://www.flankcompany.com/BlackPine.html

Thankyou,

Steve

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AndyWilson

Hi Steve and welcome, i think your black pine is crying out to be air layered, this will end up giving you two trees. The bottom section with the nice straight trunk can then be trained into a formal upright style.

Just my thoughts though;-)

Joanie

Hi Steve! If the trees are old, and not in good health, don't do anything too abrupt to them. Go slow and be deliberate. Learn how to get them healthy before any styling choices are made. You should only style a healthy tree.

Making a lot of sudden changes to an older bonsai is like poking your grandmother with a stick. She isn't going to like it at all.

Joanie

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Stevlen

Thank you both Joanie and Andy,

My thoughts are a rather dramatic trunk split on each of them, then deadwood the top and one side to create a semi-cascade. This at least keeps the trees"whole" but allows a transformation that turns each into completely different trees.

Am I being too ambitious with them maybe

Steve

AndyWilson

That would depend on your particular preferance and level of expertise Steve;-)
I personally wouldnt, i dont beleieve that the trunks are thick enough if i understand you correctly.

If your new to the game, get a feel for them first by looking after and maintaing their health like Joanie said.

LifterCatcher

I think that both trees actuallu look great, the Podocarpus needs some work but I agree with the other wait a while to make sure the trees are in good health before anything drastic. It's not worth taking a chance on these trees.

I like them

Chris

tachigi

One word .... YES! I'm no expert on Podocarpus but I can tell you that the JBP is in need of some quality time. It doesn't appear to be in the best of health. So for you to play Paul Bunyon and split that bad boy would be giving it a death sentence.

Out of curiosity what moves you to split this tree. I would jump all over Andy's suggestion and air layer it. There is an exceptional tree in the upper half. I would air layer it a couple of inches below the bottom left hand branch.

Either way congrats on your find and have fun.

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Tom

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