Reducing branch junctions during development

[Shibui]

Not sure how many lodgepole pine or ponderosa are in Australia, will leave that for Shibui to respond to.

Very few Frank. They are not a native species, are not grown as plantation timber (mainly P. radiata now) and not suitable for most gardens so we just don't have access unless grown from seed and anyone growing pines from seed tends to favour the Japanese sp. so those are the ones I have most experience with.

August 44 You quoted both Shibui and myself in the same query

I suspect the double quote was because we are both saying the same thing and both contradicting the earlier advice to remove old needles first. My experience seems to align very closely with the way you treat pines though I don't always get results quite as spectacular as yours.

 

[Adamski77]

Tgab

Your tree looks healthy. Always best to let the tree recover after repotting. Maintaining a high level of health is important for best results.
This example is JBP , another 12 year old from seed. Here is what happens when you cut back on a healthy group of old needles and then delay thinning the response. This branch was 3/4" indiameter, cut back to a group of three or four year old needles! Lower branch so not dominant growth pattern, but had been left for a sacrifice branch to thicken base of the trunk somewhat. Pictures from end and side. tweezers to give sense of dimension beyond my description. I should have found the time to thin the new shoots before this! But it does illustrate the response if cutting within a group of healthy needles. Healthy tree, full sun, regular care and proper nutrition. Free draining mix with pumice, lava, akadama and granite grit. Medium size particles all seived and irregular in shape! So even mix of moisture and air.

Thank you Frank… indeed main objective for this season was to get the tree strong after repotting… glad it’s visible. Appreciate your examples… very descriptive… wish I would get half of the result you got (quite impressive have to say). I’ll be doing cuts late winter/very early spring before the tree starts pushing… more news to come… have separate thread on this pine.