A Japanese Black Pine

[Adair M]

As promised;



This ones branches don't go all the way to the ground, but the lower ones are really beginning to hang. (Believe me, the other one in Decatur was a jaw dropper!)

 

[Adair M]

And, LOL, the subdivision is lined with broom style trees! In he winter, there's lots of subjects to study!

 

[Adair M]

Oh... the apex... even on pines, the apex becomes a little broom style tree. It's really difficult to make a rounded apex while having a single leader. So, see if you can make a little broom style at the top

I used to really have difficulty making apex until I figured that out.

And it just so happened that Juan Andrade said the same thing at out Show last weekend.

 

[markyscott]

Repot, needle pulling and thinning. Before and after. No decandling last year, so the needles got long.




Scott

 

[markyscott]

After looking at the picture, I think I’ll pull some more needles on the top 1/2 of the tree.

Scott

 

[markyscott]

Graft is looking good. I’ll probably do a few more next season.


Scott

 

[cmeg1]

Cool tree,grafting is the way to go.

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

Elegant old beauty. Will change a lot in a few years...

 

[markyscott]

Decandling time. Before and after.




S

 

[markyscott]

After thinning and needle pulling.

 

[markyscott]

Early summer 2020

 

[markyscott]

Decandling, thinning and needle pulling. Before and after.

 

[ChristianDGreat]

Born in 1917 in Hiroshima Japan, Hoshiko Yamaguchi would grow much of the black pine known around California for many years. In the 1950's she would come to America to make a new life. Her father gave her a dowry of 500 black pine seeds and told her that these seeds would carry her thru life. In 1956 she planted the small pine seeds and nurtured them along until they were ready to prune. With only a small amount of bonsai training via her Father she was able to keep 2.5 acres of black pine under control seemingly by herself. The pines, Mikawa and Awagi would do well in the central valley heat. The seed, started in flats and transferred to pots would grow and later be placed in the ground. During the late sixties and seventies these pines would grow and develop into wonderful bonsai material. Many of the best black pine bonsai were started in this small nursery 58 years ago.

In the early 90's the property would be cared for by her eldest son, a Japanese tradition of passing down to the eldest, and pruning continues today. In fact the pictures posted here were taken a few weeks back while Richard was out pruning and decandling pines. Today the large 10 to 14 foot tall pines soar above the ground waiting to be removed by backhoe to find a new home in shopping centers and near hospitals around the country. Many of these trees have sold in the 10 to 15,000 dollar range. Pretty good investment on 500 free seeds. Hoshiko is still alive today and is living in San Francisco, she will be 97 years young this year.

I went there this year and it was sad, I hope someone takecare of those big black pines. Some of the pines died already because of the drought.
I collect some cones that is hanging outside and keep it as a memento ( I have few seedlings from it now and I will call it Yamaguchi Stock )

 

[markyscott]

Summer 2023. I decandled in June last year, but the tree just set buds - no summer shoots. This year I did not decandle and just let the tree grow. Seems to be pretty strong. I plan to decandle next year.

 

[clem]

hello @markyscott it is very nice to see your trees evolution

if this JBP was mine, i'll probably cut the second branch on the left (2 opposite branches at this level), and wire the main branches to lower them..

I took the pic of the message #24 to make my virtual because we can see clearly the trunk line and the branches ->


if possible, try to wire this branch on the back (to have a depth branch shorter than the one above)

 

[markyscott]

hello @markyscott it is very nice to see your trees evolution

if this JBP was mine, i'll probably cut the second branch on the left (2 opposite branches at this level), and wire the main branches to lower them..

I took the pic of the message #24 to make my virtual because we can see clearly the trunk line and the branches ->
View attachment 503061

if possible, try to wire this branch on the back (to have a depth branch shorter than the one above)
View attachment 503062
View attachment 503063

Thank you - that’s an interesting thought that I had not considered.

- S

 

[markyscott]

Fall cleanup and wiring - big job on this tree. Still in progress.

 

[cmeg1]

PERFECT PLACE IN THERE

 

[markyscott]

This is why you should always work from the top down when pulling needles, lol.

 

[markyscott]

JBP cleanup can be done anytime in the late fall or winter. Here‘s how the process works. The goal, as when working with any tree, is to achIeve “balanced” growth. Ideally, “balanced” growth on a pine means that every bud, everywhere on the tree, starts extending at the same time. Every candle is the same length. Each candle produces the same number of needles. Each needle is the same length. Of course, ”ideal” never really happens, but we’re always nudging the tree in that direction with every maintenance action we take. Our maintenance tools on JBP are 1) needle pulling and thinning, 2) pruning, and 3) decandling. This is the season for needle pulling and thinning.