My little mugo.

[M. Frary]

I got this 2 years ago. $6.00. I bought 2 but the other one didn't make it through my gentle manipulation. Right . Any way I still have this little guy. Don't laugh at him. It's not his fault that he looks the way he does.
I've done root work by cutting 2/3 of the root ball off and cutting a coupleasure pie pieces out. I put it back into the 1 gallon bucket to recoup. This year I cut everything off except for what you see now.

 

[Vance Wood]

Tough little booger eh Mike? I don't remember treating one that gently. LOL I'm sorry Mike you kind of set yourself up for this one and I could not resist, but this reminds me of a parody of some of the responses I have received from time to time which describes the treatment some poor little Mugo gets at the hands of some person, who after reading some of my information attempts to do a Mugo. "Dear Mr. Wood, I have this Mugo I bought and after reading your instructions, I thought I would try one". "After all; if a dumb shit like you, I mean a smart guy like you can grow them how hard can it be". "So I removed almost all the branches most of the roots washed what was left in gasoline and set a lit match to it." ----- "Do you think it will be OK?"

 

[M. Frary]

Tough little booger eh Mike? I don't remember treating one that gently. LOL

Very tough Vance. And I don't know if you can see them but it put out buds all over. Just to kind of say "That's all you got?"
As you can see it will never be a show stopper but it's preparing me for when I find the one that will be.
Next year I might just let it rest and grow. I should. Well maybe cut off a couple stubs and maybe make a little Jin out of one. What do you think? I'm sure it'll come out swinging in the spring.

 

[Vance Wood]

Very tough Vance. And I don't know if you can see them but it put out buds all over. Just to kind of say "That's all you got?"
As you can see it will never be a show stopper but it's preparing me for when I find the one that will be.
Next year I might just let it rest and grow. I should. Well maybe cut off a couple stubs and maybe make a little Jin out of one. What do you think? I'm sure it'll come out swinging in the spring.

Let it rest a year. Mugos kind of have a mind of their own and might surprise you with a direction you are not expecting. Remember they are not like other Pines they march to their own drummer so to speak.

 

[M. Frary]

What I figured. I'll have to get a bunch more now I know how to keep them alive and healthy. I'm on my trees all of the time. That's why I get a bunch every year. Next year I plan on getting more pines. Much more. I only have 3 at the moment. I think I need about 60 more. That will keep me entertained for a moment. Plus all of the trees to be dug in the spring this one will be safe next year.