Wee Trees Bonsai Help Forum Advice for all
http://weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/

Pinus Densiflora but now a large Beech project
http://weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=15954		 Page 1 of 6
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 19 Feb 2017, 21:51 ]
Post subject:  Pinus Densiflora but now a large Beech project
I've been trawling around the garden centre this afternoon looking for suitable material. The owner asked what I was actually looking for so I explained bonsai material. He offered me some material not on display to the public, which consisted of a couple of elms and a hornbeam. All three were between 10 and 15 feet tall and no lower branches. He then pointed out a Pinus Densiflora, which stood about 3 feet, not including pot, which he said I could have for £20. I said no as I didn't know if they/it would make suitable bonsai material. The trunk wasn't tapered but about 3 inches thick and curved. The foliage was all at the top, with some long wispy branches about 6 inches from the top. Has anyone on here had a go with this species and if so how successful?



Keith
Author:  breck1 [ 19 Feb 2017, 22:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Pinus Densiflora
Red pines make great Bonsai, similar to Scots and JBP just slightly more brittle branches, your description sounds like it would make a great Literati tree.
Likewise the Elm and Hornbeam would also make good bonsai just cut them down to about 6 tp 12 inches highbut do it now before they bud out, repot next spring
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 19 Feb 2017, 23:39 ]
Post subject:  Re: Pinus Densiflora
Thanks. I might take a trip back tomorrow. He didn't offer a price on the elms/hornbeam but I said no as I thought they might take a good number of years to bud out to the required size etc. I had my eye on a large beech with lots of lower branches and a better nebari, but unfortunately a lot dearer.
Author:  paulpash [ 19 Feb 2017, 23:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Pinus Densiflora
It depends how far the foliage is from the trunk - if it's bare for 2ft give it a swerve.
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 19 Feb 2017, 23:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: Pinus Densiflora
Most is at the top but on the thinner branches its about 9 inches away.
Author:  paulpash [ 20 Feb 2017, 00:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: Pinus Densiflora
Keith Hansell wrote:
Most is at the top but on the thinner branches its about 9 inches away.


IF you can get buds to pop it's going to be a long time to get them into branches you can use.
Author:  Keith Hansell [ 20 Feb 2017, 19:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Pinus Densiflora
Well I went back this afternoon and decided against having the pine. It was slightly taller than I though but the trunk put me off, being a uniform diameter all the way. However I haggled a price for this Beech and was happy with the price. It stands, at present, 36 inches tall after removing another 10 foot at the garden centre. I know it will take a lot of root work and I am sure I will be advised to reduce it more. Obviously the branches are too long. I assume it will be ok to start to reduce some of the root ball now, or do I wait till the end of the season?


ImageIMG_20170220_160647 by Keith Hansell, on Flickr
ImageIMG_20170220_160633 by Keith Hansell, on Flickr
ImageIMG_20170220_160659 by Keith Hansell, on Flickr
Author:  Grant [ 20 Feb 2017, 19:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: Pinus Densiflora
Great start to the nebari. I think I'd chop it just above the large branch a half of the way up on on the right. I have a number of Beech saplings but none with roots as good as that.
Grant
Author:  Sven [ 20 Feb 2017, 20:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Pinus Densiflora
Nice project. I'm sure all will say 'chop lower'... If you decide to wait and to get to know the tree first, keep the top branches tightly trimmed so you direct the growth further down.
Author:  Gary Jones [ 20 Feb 2017, 20:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: Pinus Densiflora
I think I'd go lower than Grant to the lowest pair of branches and wire one of them up for a new leader. I wouldn't reduce roots now if you want to power good growth in the spring. If you chop foliage and roots at the same time the tree might just sit there for a season having a good old sulk.
Page 1 of 6 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/