Corkbark JBP, Kyokko Yatsubusa

Brian Van Fleet · Oct 29, 2016

Well, this has been an unsatisfying couple of years for this tree. It responded to the 2014 wiring by dropping a couple important branches (upper right, lower left), and pouting in 2015. I repotted it 3/16, replacing a lot of old soil, and it responded by pouting through 2016. Plenty of buds, but not much extension. I decided to back way off on styling.

This fall, I pruned very lightly, and cut old, downward-facing needles. I wired 3 branches to begin filling gaps left by dropped branches, and put it back out on the bench. My goal is to get it to fill in a little and soften the view at all sides.

Here's a before, after, and virt replacing the upper-right branch. Yep, its bar-branched all the way up, when it fills in a bit more, it should be less noticeable, but for now, it is what it is.

dirk hoorelbeke · Oct 29, 2016

It's a good sign that there are plenty of buds. The extension lacking is a result from the year before, not this year. I'm happy the lowest right branch is still there. I was always told to be careful wiring a few branches. Response gets more unpredictable. What is your experience with that?

fredtruck · Oct 31, 2016

Cork really looks great!

Don Blackmond · Nov 1, 2016

Bummer

Leo in N E Illinois · Nov 9, 2016

Your experience is why cork bark JBP is not as popular as the normal JBP. They are cantankerous. They are seldom as strong growing as they may look. I lost a couple cork barks, one after 18 years in my care, just because I over worked it, and it did not recover. I feel your pain.

Brian Van Fleet · Dec 3, 2017

Update...

Potawatomi13 · Dec 3, 2017

Great pots

.

Brian Van Fleet · Feb 25, 2018

Repotted into a Gyouzan pot, slightly larger, and in coarser soil to see if will encourage a little more vigor.

Gurudas · Feb 26, 2018

Looking good!

Brian Van Fleet · Aug 2, 2018

Here is an updated shot of this KY. If it was yours, would you change it? How?

0soyoung · Aug 2, 2018

Brian Van Fleet said:
Here is an updated shot of this KY. If it was yours, would you change it? How?
View attachment 203779

My quick reaction is to put it in a narrower pot, possibly a bit deeper (i.e., a semi-cascade', or maybe a melon pot even) and tilt it more to the right, to the point that the lower right branch is semi-cascading. I really want to see the end of the lower branch be lower,

But, then again, if I started playing with virts this could very well be a poor idea. It is a much nicer tree than any I ruminate about in my back yard just as it is now (ah, to have such problems ...).

Stan Kengai · Aug 2, 2018

Brian Van Fleet said:
Here is an updated shot of this KY. If it was yours, would you change it? How?

Would you consider tilting the tree to the right, making the first right branch about parallel to the soil? You would have to bring the branches on the left down and adjust other foliage, obviously. I think it could make a dynamic leaning tree, and it may disguise the "waiste" at the graft union.

Nevermind, I see this is how the tree was previously oriented. Though I do like that orientation better than the current.

Wilson · Aug 2, 2018

I imagine the first branch is important to the design, but I would consider removing it. I enjoy pines that have the tall mature look to them. Like was said above, just a beautiful as it is!

coh · Aug 2, 2018

Wilson said:
I imagine the first branch is important to the design, but I would consider removing it. I enjoy pines that have the tall mature look to them. Like was said above, just a beautiful as it is!
View attachment 203803

That's what I was going to suggest, but was too lazy to make a virt. The only problem is that removing the low branch seems to make the reverse taper near the base more obvious.

PeaceLoveBonsai · Aug 2, 2018

Too drastic?

0soyoung · Aug 2, 2018

I think potting angle and the pot could both be better.
Here are a couple of nanban pots and a 'slab' laid over the pic of your tree. Planted on the right rock could be cool. It is a slightly unconventional tree and I think needs to be in a less conventional container that it is presently in.

Since the tree is ultimately an exhibition of cork bark, I entertain just removing the foliage from the send branches (l & r) leaving their corky stubs a decade or so from now.

benap2 · Aug 2, 2018

Or something like this ?

Paulpash · Aug 3, 2018

Are you really taken with this tree? I know you have other projects in the wings & if it continues to be temperamental will it cause more consternation in the future? The tendency to drop branches would definitely cause me to take stock and consider if the time investment is warranted in a naturally weak and unreliable tree?

jeanluc83 · Aug 3, 2018

0soyoung said:
My quick reaction is to put it in a narrower pot, possibly a bit deeper (i.e., a semi-cascade', or maybe a melon pot even) and tilt it more to the right, to the point that the lower right branch is semi-cascading. I really want to see the end of the lower branch be lower,

I'll second this idea. I might consider a crescent or freeform pot.

Brian Van Fleet · Aug 3, 2018

Paulpash said:
Are you really taken with this tree? I know you have other projects in the wings & if it continues to be temperamental will it cause more consternation in the future? The tendency to drop branches would definitely cause me to take stock and consider if the time investment is warranted in a naturally weak and unreliable tree?

Not presently. My fascination with corkers is pretty much over, but I don’t think I want to part with the 3 I still have. While it’s not satisfying to work on, it is enjoyable to look at and envision what it may be in 10-15 years if I just kind of leave it alone. In my garden, it does best if I don’t touch it. That requirement fits well with my schedule!

@Wilson and @coh The quick answer is removing the bottom right branch, and it would make this into an interesting and natural-looking Pine. However, I can also see allowing that bottom branch to have its way and develop into a second trunk, which could be quite dramatic. I don’t see other branch removal as visually or horticulturally appealing.

Also, considering the discussions here lately, I thought I would post a few updates and see if people actually do want to have a discussion about Bonsai, or just fight about how others are spending their own time and money on it. So thanks to you who shared thoughts on this tree, keep them coming, I’m curious and don’t actually have a plan other than to let it be for now and maybe the next decade.

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