Help Me Choose a Front

[pga7602]

I did some work to one of my JBPs today and wanted your opinions on a front. The pink ribbon branch is what I have chosen as my new apex. With that said I have not decided on a front, although I'm leaning toward the first photo. let me know what you guys think.

Possible front?


Here are more angles including top down.

 

[JudyB]

I kinda like #3, but it's hard to tell from these photos. Can you do more pics with a plain background (like a sheet) and do the photos from straight on? They all look like they are from a slightly above angle.

 

[NewWorldBonsai]

I see potential in both photo 1 and 2. Before making a final choice I would want to explore that root base a little more and see what kind of roots are there. My next concern would be hiding the largest scar(s) by making it the back. To add character you might consider totally wiring and shaping your new apex right from where it separates from the main trunk. Depending on how big you want to final tree to be I would consider potting it up or try to produce some usable back budding and balance the growth.

Keep us posted.

 

[Poink88]

I agree with NewWorldBonsai...you need to explore the nebari a bit more. I am thinking the crossing root at pic #1 need to go. If the root to the right is close to the leaning trunk...you might want to consider pushing/separating them a bit.

I am leaning towards pic #1 or #3 as of now.

 

[pga7602]

I agree with NewWorldBonsai...you need to explore the nebari a bit more. I am thinking the crossing root at pic #1 need to go. If the root to the right is close to the leaning trunk...you might want to consider pushing/separating them a bit.

I am leaning towards pic #1 or #3 as of now.

Thanks Poink and NewworldBonsai... what i'm not show is that the roots have fused, I think... to a point where the only option is to cut them off. This is a new report from 2 months ago, so i cant' really perform any of those steps...

I leaned on #1 because it would hide the scar after the hack. If I choose #3, then I would need to change to the apex and use the left branch in that pic. Am I right?

 

[pga7602]

I agree with NewWorldBonsai...you need to explore the nebari a bit more. I am thinking the crossing root at pic #1 need to go. If the root to the right is close to the leaning trunk...you might want to consider pushing/separating them a bit.

I am leaning towards pic #1 or #3 as of now.

Here's an illustration of what we are talking about?

Using #1

Using #3

#1 has the advantage of hiding scar, but ugly roots need to be taken care of.
#3 has the advantage of better roots, but large scar can be seen.

Did I get it right?

 

[tmmason10]

I like side three, the branch that you pointed to as the apex is a better transition. If you tilted the tree down to the right( right on the photo) I think you would see this trees future.

 

[Poink88]

How about rotating it this way? You will have to change your 1st branch choice but might be able to use the 2 biggest branches you have and hide the big root (at the back now) as well as utilize the left root better.

Just worth checking IMHO.

View attachment 32681

 

[tmmason10]

How about rotating it this way? You will have to change your 1st branch choice but might be able to use the 2 biggest branches you have and hide the big root (at the back now) as well as utilize the left root better.

Just worth checking IMHO.

View attachment 32681

What I said in picture form, thanks Dario.

 

[pga7602]

How about rotating it this way? You will have to change your 1st branch choice but might be able to use the 2 biggest branches you have and hide the big root (at the back now) as well as utilize the left root better.

Just worth checking IMHO.

View attachment 32681

Thanks you two.. However, I am a little confuse. I see the tilt would help the apex without much wiring. What I'm confused about is why you now feel the first branch choice is wrong. You also mentioned I can use my two biggest branches? The other big branch would be behind the tree at this point if we go with #3. I guess I'm asking why tilting would force me to choose another 1st branch. Thanks again you guys.

 

[Poink88]

What we see and what you see are totally different so proceed as needed. Your chosen 1st branch looks too low after the tilt. It is also too skinny (usually the lowest branch is the biggest) so if you can go with a bigger one you should. You can grow it too if need be. Pine is flexible, you can wire & relocate branches. But as I said, you have much better feel than us who only see a few pics.

 

[pga7602]

What we see and what you see are totally different so proceed as needed. Your chosen 1st branch looks too low after the tilt. It is also too skinny (usually the lowest branch is the biggest) so if you can go with a bigger one you should. You can grow it too if need be. Pine is flexible, you can wire & relocate branches. But as I said, you have much better feel than us who only see a few pics.

I see, thanks for the pointers Poink. Your comments are very helpful. I have removed branches above both apexs and since the main trunk was chopped just 2 months ago, I should see more choices coming this year. For now, i'm going to hold off on deciding and proceed with growing the marked first branches as being first branches, apexes as being apexes and the rest as sacrifices. No sense in rushing into this. Thanks again you guys!

On to roots. Are there articles out there that give pointers in possibly moving large fused roots, or should i just snip off the larger crosses?

 

[iant]

You might consider leaving the roots.
I have a cutting grown pine from Brent at EG that has some sideways roots that are fairly similar to yours and I posed the question to him regarding if these should be removed. I'll share the photos and his response:

"Yes, this is a circling root but I wouldn't worry about it. These roots in cutting grown material continue to swell and grow at an enormous rate and eventually make a broad pad that is wonderful. It takes some years, but they always end up welding to the base of the tree and other roots and then you can't identify them as individual roots anymore, just a broad plate. But it does mean that this tree is a candidate for growing out to a larger size, at least caliper wise."

Ian