Wulfskaar's Bristlecone Pine from seed

[doc spring _work]

They might straighten up even get a curve in time. But I'd reorient them in their pots?

Mmmn given what we've seen these are going to be massive projects time wise, fighting them might not be the best way.

Personally what I see is a devolping semi-cascade. The bud pushing on the top current could be grown out as a new apex.

Further if I recall it took 5-6 years to get here so embracing what the tree gives I feel is the best approach here- repotting it in a different direction may encourage a bit of shape in the next 5-6 years but simply letting these lil nightmares to develop themselves I feel will be very rewarding (in my opinion)

 

[Potawatomi13]

Even with thicker trunks these are very limber and will fall over just from gravity. I have several even older and with lots of Sun that lay over naturally. Mostly I just stake them up so they don't take up as much space. The oldest 36 year old one the upper branches/leaders do this even without snow from the weight of the rain on all the needles and for now I let it do its thing. These are the descendants of ancient monarchs that may have waited 3000-4000 years to produce the seed they grew from. Patience and respect is deserved.

 

[Wulfskaar]

They might straighten up even get a curve in time. But I'd reorient them in their pots?

They are pretty floppy, but I may use a loose wire.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Mmmn given what we've seen these are going to be massive projects time wise, fighting them might not be the best way.

Personally what I see is a devolping semi-cascade. The bud pushing on the top current could be grown out as a new apex. View attachment 626798

Further if I recall it took 5-6 years to get here so embracing what the tree gives I feel is the best approach here- repotting it in a different direction may encourage a bit of shape in the next 5-6 years but simply letting these lil nightmares to develop themselves I feel will be very rewarding (in my opinion)

I potted it more upright, but I'll just let it do it's thing for a long time. I might stake it up with loose wire, but it's got a loooong ways to go. I'll surely enjoy it for what it is.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Even with thicker trunks these are very limber and will fall over just from gravity. I have several even older and with lots of Sun that lay over naturally. Mostly I just stake them up so they don't take up as much space. The oldest 36 year old one the upper branches/leaders do this even without snow from the weight of the rain on all the needles and for now I let it do its thing. These are the descendants of ancient monarchs that may have waited 3000-4000 years to produce the seed they grew from. Patience and respect is deserved.

That's good to know. They've always seemed weak to me, as they were among my first batch of seedlings ever. Last year was the best year of growth so far, so I gave them some room to run for another few years.