Ponderosa From Burlap Bonanza

fore · Sep 5, 2013

So many different approaches to working with PPs. Larry's book, with another 4-5 opinions at the end of the book, and then there's Ryan Neil's advice from his single flush pine video.

Since so far I've followed Ryan's way without knowing it. So it's in it's second yr., with tons of back buds like Ryan said to expect. He then suggested waiting one more yr so you can work with those new, fuller developed buds. So next spring, I'm only going to remove old needles on apical sacrificial branches to help develop those buds over the summer. And then style next fall or late winter. Rest a yr., then try Larry's Fall Management Technique to get back budding further to the interior.

Finally, a good game plan. I'm glad I didn't touch it this yr.

fore · Sep 10, 2013

I've spent also quite a bit time of looking where I want to take this tree. One problem though is a T branch that I want to twist, bringing one downward for the first branch, and then aim the other end of the T upward to start an apex.

Problem is, this is the tree's weakest part structurally. I don't want to split it. So I'm wondering if I applied rafia, 2 copper splines, rafia again, and then coil some wire around the whole thing. Does anyone have enough experience to tell me if this would protect the tree from splitting?

fore · Sep 12, 2013

No one has any ideas to reinforce this T branch? Surely this can be done with the correct technique...

buddhamonk · Sep 12, 2013

Lots of raffia is usually enough for ponderoa because they are so flexible. Copper splines won't hurt if you're concerned but I it were my tree I would just use lots of tight raffia.

fore · Sep 12, 2013

buddhamonk said:
Lots of raffia is usually enough for ponderoa because they are so flexible. Copper splines won't hurt if you're concerned but I it were my tree I would just use lots of tight raffia.

Thanks buddhamonk for the advice. I'm just thinking of starting to work on this area to start it in the right direction, and hopefully it'll also open it up a bit to dev. the new interior buds. It's going to take time and repeated tighten/wait till the wood flexes again/tighten again, to get it in the position I want.

fore · Sep 25, 2013

This is one that I was going to wait on, but it's so bushy and full, that I needed to compact it for additional space in my overwintering hoop house.

So, I have some time off this week, so I spent 7hrs yesterday, (and 4 hrs the day before preparing the tree/stabilizing it so I can do the big bends.) Applied raffia, 2-8g copper splines via elec. tape, then another layer of raffia. Then wired the trunk with 2-6g copper. A 4', 1/2" rebar was attached and it was incred. easy to make some large bends. Still have to finish wiring/guy wires, to the lowered part of the T branch. So now, it's more of a --/ trunk structure. And I have to still bend the top part into upper branching and an apex. Not doing fine wiring, just getting the branch structure set. And then I'm only going to cut most of the needles off the large sacrificial branches as of now, they are a full pom pom of needles and buds.

I want to leave as much foliage though to help mature the newer back buds develop. Took a couple pics, but with all the foliage fullness, it's hard to see the work Ive done. So give me another week and I'll post some pics.

But I am extremely pleased/surprised at how easy this was to accomplish. The only downside is that I had to use raffia on some old flakey bark. I'm thinking that the bark character will take a hit..

tmmason10 · Sep 25, 2013

fore said:
This is one that I was going to wait on, but it's so bushy and full, that I needed to compact it for additional space in my overwintering hoop house.

So, I have some time off this week, so I spent 7hrs yesterday, (and 4 hrs the day before preparing the tree/stabilizing it so I can do the big bends.) Applied raffia, 2-8g copper splines via elec. tape, then another layer of raffia. Then wired the trunk with 2-6g copper. A 4', 1/2" rebar was attached and it was incred. easy to make some large bends. Still have to finish wiring/guy wires, to the lowered part of the T branch. So now, it's more of a --/ trunk structure. And I have to still bend the top part into upper branching and an apex. Not doing fine wiring, just getting the branch structure set. And then I'm only going to cut most of the needles off the large sacrificial branches as of now, they are a full pom pom of needles and buds.

I want to leave as much foliage though to help mature the newer back buds develop. Took a couple pics, but with all the foliage fullness, it's hard to see the work Ive done. So give me another week and I'll post some pics.

But I am extremely pleased/surprised at how easy this was to accomplish. The only downside is that I had to use raffia on some old flakey bark. I'm thinking that the bark character will take a hit..

Nice, way to bite the bullet. We'd love to see pictures...

fore · Sep 29, 2013

Here's the start:

That was of 2 dys ago. The 'bad' problem is I have too many branches. I'll shoot some pics of what I mean.

The second pic is where you can see I turned a horiz. T into a more vertical line.

JudyB · Sep 29, 2013

Nice work Chris, too many branches, good problem to have!

fore · Sep 29, 2013

JudyB said:
Nice work Chris, too many branches, good problem to have!

Thanks Judy! It's a start, and I like where I'm going with this one. Which is neat seeing a design in your head and being able to pull it off. Still a fair amount of work to be done.

fore · Oct 1, 2013

Will have more pics later today. I'm wiring it a bit more than I anticipated as there's so much needle mass, I need to wire them into place so I can see what area I'm working on.

fore · Oct 2, 2013

As of last night

fore · Oct 2, 2013

One more

I'm going to remove bottom needles only still, finish wiring the apex, and let it rest. Going to leave as much needle mass as possible as it'll keep the tree strong.

Dav4 · Oct 2, 2013

Don't forget to wire the tips of the branches in an upward orientation...it will help to keep the buds growing strongly.

fore · Oct 2, 2013

Dav4 said:
Don't forget to wire the tips of the branches in an upward orientation...it will help to keep the buds growing strongly.

I will Dave, Thanks. Might get to some fine wiring this afternoon.

fore · Oct 3, 2013

Finished wiring branches, and most of the fine wiring completed. And after looking at my wiring in the pics above, I was not happy. So I rewired and got rid of the crossing wires and untidy ends. Won't learn how to do it right without doing it wrong first lol

Further refinement this weekend. I know some may have a problem with the long needles, but with a strong fert. program, it's given me tons of growth (options) and backbuds. Eventually I'll be able to reduce them.

Neli · Oct 3, 2013

You are on the right truck. Are you going to jin the left large branch?
Do You have enough branches going to the back?
Did you do a virtual for it?

Poink88 · Oct 4, 2013

Very good work Chris!!! I like it!

Next time you need to do something similar to this and the needles are on the way, use rubber bands and put each branch's needles in a "pony tail"

Makes life so much easier.

fore · Oct 4, 2013

Neli said:
You are on the right truck. Are you going to jin the left large branch?
Do You have enough branches going to the back?
Did you do a virtual for it?

Neli, Thanks. I've had a nearly two yrs. to think where I wanted to take this tree. So I had the plan in my head. I did a virt last yr., but didn't look anything like I had in my head lol

Regarding the l. branch, I may. I still need to place that branch. Plan on bending it around and down under a jin. But it maybe too much. The whole tree is supposed to, in the end, a triangular shape flowing from l. to r. With it's lg. shari, it would certainly look good with some jins sticking thru the canopy. We'll see.

I have two branches coming off that l. branch that has added a back branch and an apex branch.

I have today off...awesome! to work on the tree. When I'm finished, I'll break out my Canon 5D for some much better pictures.

fore · Oct 4, 2013

Poink88 said:
Very good work Chris!!! I like it!

Next time you need to do something similar to this and the needles are on the way, use rubber bands and put each branch's needles in a "pony tail" Makes life so much easier.

LOL The needles from when it was collected were only 3" long at most. I've just fert. the hell out of it the last two yrs...and, (I was told later I shouldn't have) I cut about 2" off of the dominant buds this summer to help redistribute the growth. So they were like 5-6" this summer! lol I like the ponytail comment though Dario! Could be a start of a new style of bonsai!

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