JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
I like your tree jail idea, and the almond is sweet. I have a few in the landscape...
Try to avoid more than one branch from a spot to prevent reverse taper where it matters...I would have thought of wiring one of the low branches as future apex and removin one branch but not too short...like 0.5" from the trunk so you have buds reserved there.Here's a...I can't recall if it's Murasaki Kyohime or just Kyohime. Anyways, they're very similar. I air layered this and have it in the ground. No roots on one side, so might need root grafts in future. I'd like to ask you if I should do any pruning as I've not done any yet. I think the tandem branches at the nodes can become problematic.
Try to wire the top of the pines away and decandle low branches you plan to use...think also future apex for taper and movement...I dont really like pines with no taper.Another Japanese black pine in my landscape, I'm trying out approach grafting using these wire holders. Seems to be good so far. It's been on there less than a year.