Restyling my old Black Pine

BunjinEnt

This is my oldest black pine. I got it in a deal with my two JWPs. It had been styled as a Fukinagashi but had been neglected. I wired the heck out of it (I know it's sloppy, I hate wireing.) and am attempting to get it into a Moyogi. It had been rootbound in a long slender rectangle 1.5" deep for who knows how long. I re-potted it this spring and it popped nice buds and is breaking back all over the place. The more I look at it, though, the more I think it might be best in semi-cascade. I'm not sure what to do about the jins. I really don't like them on this tree. I also don't like the bulbous top of the trunk where the main brach begins. I welcome your comments and suggestions. My son loves plants and has a few. He and his sister have JBP seedlings that will be ready to show when they get out of college.

BunjinEnt

Attached Images

	Web Old JBP1.jpg (67.7 KB, 171 views)
	Web old JBP.jpg (67.9 KB, 127 views)
	Web Old JBPQ.jpg (54.7 KB, 142 views)

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cbobgo

Well, it seems to me that this tree is currently too skiny for it's height, to be styled as an informal upright. So if you are set on that style, you might want to consider getting this into a grow box or the ground for 5 years or so to thicken up.

Alternatively, you could remove the lower branch and style as a bunjin, or pull it down into a cascade.

- bob

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bwaynef

I've been away for a while. I'd have commented earlier on this one. It looks to have some promise, though that first branch really should go (Unless you think you can get some branching closer to the trunk.)

I agree that this tree is a little too skinny for the foliage its supporting. Bob's suggestions were good ones.

WF

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Ralph

I agree with what the guys above said. What makes a good convincing informal, is taper, and this tree right now doesnt have a whole lot of that going on. The style looks well enough, but it needs to put meat on the bone.

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pootsie

Bunjinent:

If you would like to post a few new pictures, I'd be happy to work up a virt for you.

Take them with a neutral dark background. Use a lower angle of sight (so the soil surface is not as large to the camera) and shoot a few different faces (ten degrees this way, then another, then another).

IMHO this tree is destined to be a poor informal upright, but a great bunjin as has been suggested.

pootsie

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BunjinEnt

Bob, Wayne, Ralph and Poots,

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I like the idea of the Bunjin. I will finish this year with it as is and since I did no root pruning (just kind of fanned the roots out in the pot) I can move it toward Bunjin next year or should I let it gain another year's health first to thicken the foliage on top? Should I lose the lower branch now to push more strength to the top?
Give me a couple days for the photos, poots. I'll post them soonest.

Now to research some Bunjin styles...

BunjinEnt

malhomme

I think the child has reduced nicely. To thicken him up give him lost of groceries and do not put him in the ground. But that's just my opinion.

Kind regards,
Jim

BunjinEnt

I'm afraid to give him too much Nitrogen lest the Quercus wither in the shade.

BunjinEnt

Pootsie,

I have a bunch of pix in a compressed file to send to you. Shoot me a private message and I will email them to you.
Thanks,

BunjinEnt