My big pinus (mugo???)

[RobC]

Got a free pine yesterday. I think it’s mugo pine. Not a lot of roots as dug by previous owner . I wasn’t expecting to get a big tree like this. Friggin thing used up my 1 year supply of pumice. It’s about 6’ wide and 4’ tall. Tons of foliage. I’m not sure current root system can handle it. Should I reduce foliage?

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Pinus mugo is good at compartmentalization. This means that one branch is connected to one side of the root system as opposed to all branches connected to the trunk, which is connected to all the roots.
If you lop off some branches, the roots they're connected with might die. If you lop off some roots, the branches they're connected with might die.

I think(!) that dying branches on a mugo don't necessarily draw energy from the rest of the tree due to that compartment system. I would try to keep as much foliage as possible, because you can't really be sure what's connected to what. You might just snip off the only viable branch left, without knowing it. I personally would leave it as it is, and just see whatever makes it.

Someone else might have a different opinion though. It might be wise to wait for others to chime in.

 

[August44]

Wow, that was quite a slaughter removing that from the ground. I don't see any feeder roots at all and don't know how that is supposed to survive. I don't know Mugo's very well though. Maybe Vance will chime in here

 

[hinmo24t]

heck of a subject line

 

[hinmo24t]

bearded iris clump in background?

 

[A. Gorilla]

classic joke. never gets old.

That said, its already dead though with that root situation.

Wishful thinking is for certain deciduous trees.

If I know one guy well, its the grim reaper of florae.

 

[sorce]

I think anything with the will to live, can.

Sorce

 

[A. Gorilla]

I think anything with the will to live, can.

Sorce

Whoever used the shovel on that was Drago.

The tree is Apollo Creed.

 

[sorce]

40 seconds in.

Sorce

 

[RobC]

there are still a few roots under that pumice but yeah root carnage happened.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Mugos suck “hind tit”, as far as I’m concerned. Luv to die. Good luck.
But at the same time, Mugos are so rad.
Good luck.