Spruce Pine as Bonsai

[drew33998]

Pinus Glabra.

Anyone ever use them? Saw some planted en mass in an industrial park near where I work. I really liked the short needles on them. Decided I had to do some research on what type of pine they were and I have deduced this is them. They seem viable candidates only from the short needle length. I wonder how the fair in bonsai culture? It does state it as being slow growing, however it retains its lower branches as part of its growth pattern.

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/treesandpowerlines/pinus_glabra_pics.shtml
http://baker.ifas.ufl.edu/Arboretum/SprucePine.html

 

[drew33998]

UF IFAS even lists them as candidates for bonsai on this page:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st466

 

[drew33998]

Seems like this guy is making mame with them. Rather keshiki. As soon as I can find somewhere to get some I think I will try them out.

http://plantworkshop.org/tag/spruce-pine-pinus-glabra/

 

[jk_lewis]

Check out the Fla Native Nursery Assn. They'll list sources for native trees. A friend in Tallahassee had a forest of these. My major issue with them is that bark -- which is a bit uninteresting.

 

[Brian Underwood]

I'll say what I always say to people asking if a species is worth it; "The species is not nearly as important as the tree itself. Focus less on getting a specific species or cultivar and more on buying quality stock that will yield a quality tree."

 

[drew33998]

I'll say what I always say to people asking if a species is worth it; "The species is not nearly as important as the tree itself. Focus less on getting a specific species or cultivar and more on buying quality stock that will yield a quality tree."

So you haven't used this species?

 

[johng]

I haven't tried this species yet...simply because I have not found any seedlings to collect...but I think it has great potential for bonsai based on the qualities of the mature trees.