Pitch pine #1 progress

[*tree*]

This is a 5 year old nursery stock I choped in spring. It responded very well. Most of the buds were actually created last year. The tree prepared short shoots with mature foliage in these buds however it had so much more energy to give away in spring, so that the brachyblasts (fascicles) ended up being juvenile shoots. Some fascicles eventually grew as intended but with up to 8 additional needles.

 

[August44]

This is a 5 year old nursery stock I choped in spring. It responded very well. Most of the buds were actually created last year. The tree prepared short shoots with mature foliage in these buds however it had so much more energy to give away in spring, so that the brachyblasts (fascicles) ended up being juvenile shoots. Some fascicles eventually grew as intended but with up to 8 additional needles.

Is that normal for the bark to peal off like that? I would think the tree would die if that keeps up.

 

[*tree*]

Is that normal for the bark to peal off like that? I would think the tree would die if that keeps up.

I the last pic? I didn't handle the tree very gently when I was sawing the top off, so the bark pealed a bit + I intentionally removed one small piece to free some weak buds which had hard time getting trough.

 

[*tree*]

I guess my collection is eventually going to be like 70% pitch pine. I planted 6 2 year olds to ground 2 days ago, and some into individual pots, hopefully they will survive, + some 1 year olds, and 2 in the ground. They are unique species.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Looks good! They are my favorite pine, and I have posted a lot about this species.

 

[*tree*]

Looks good! They are my favorite pine, and I have posted a lot about this species.

You suggest to treat them like single flush. What exactly is wrong with them when it comes to decandling? I wanted to try it in two years or so.

 

[Paradox]

Is that normal for the bark to peal off like that? I would think the tree would die if that keeps up.

I have a scotts pine that the first time I repotted it, didnt realize how easy the bark could fall off if handled incorrectly
It lost most of the outer layer of back due to my stupidity.
This is why most recommend to lift and handle from the branches when repotting so the nice plated bark on the trunk isnt disturbed

The cambium wasnt exposed, just the outer layers of bark fell off.
Took a very long time but it eventually did make new bark

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

You suggest to treat them like single flush. What exactly is wrong with them when it comes to decandling? I wanted to try it in two years or so

I'm my experience decandling pitch pine, the tree pushes long internodes of juvenile growth before useable needles. This is after applying heavy doses of fertilizer in late winter/spring and withholding a month before decandling. While the needle size got smaller, the internodes were much larger, and the trees seemed weaker overall.


The trees have been much healthier, and have developed much more quickly treating them as a single flush pine.

 

[August44]

I'm my experience decandling pitch pine, the tree pushes long internodes of juvenile growth before useable needles. This is after applying heavy doses of fertilizer in late winter/spring and withholding a month before decandling. While the needle size got smaller, the internodes were much larger, and the trees seemed weaker overall.
View attachment 562417

The trees have been much healthier, and have developed much more quickly treating them as a single flush pine.
View attachment 562419

I had the same experience with spring fertilizing on pines...long needles and long internodes. I have had good luck with little or no fertilizer on my Lodge-pole pines in the spring and early summer months but do fertilize heavy in August and early fall to produce back budding. I

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

I had the same experience with spring fertilizing on pines...long needles and long internodes. I have had good luck with little or no fertilizer on my Lodge-pole pines in the spring and early summer months but do fertilize heavy in August and early fall to produce back budding. I

Now that I am no longer decandling, this is my approach for REFINING pitch pines also. This tree that I showed in July had no fertilizer (just some benificial suppliments) since November of 2023. I just started fertilizing with medium strength fertilizer again a few weeks ago.



I wanted to give a break to this tree that I showed at least years show, so I have been fertilizing heavily this whole season.

As shown July 2023


July 2024 after strong fertilization

If I want a tree to build strength/vigour and back bud all over, I fertilize the whole season when in DEVELOPMENT or when it gets a season off. If I want to open up the tree after this procedure, in the fall I can cut the needle length in half. Again this is for trees nor being shown and being developed.

 

[*tree*]

After 2 years in this hobby, I feel like I know what I am doing. At least with these.

My last year's 1 year olds:



My this year's 1 year olds:

 

[*tree*]

Complained about drougth...



There is a weir:



Trees evacuated to apartment:

 

[*tree*]

Tree repoted on 15th september. A bit late in this country but august was too hot. I tought I removed too much but now it looks fine.

 

[*tree*]

I found this picture on google:


I once wanted to make a replica of a full size tree and this is a good oportunity. The branches are on the right places almost:

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

I found this picture on google:
View attachment 571082

I once wanted to make a replica of a full size tree and this is a good oportunity. The branches are on the right places almost:
View attachment 571084

Nice inspiration!