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Imperial Masterpiece
Figured it was time for a new thread on this species. I've looked through some of the older threads but haven't found the info I'm looking for.
A few years ago I picked up 2 Austrian pines at a nursery discount sale. Think they were about $5 each. Anyway, I planted both in the ground and they're doing well...very vigorous. One is developing a potentially decent (not great) trunk that could be used to make an informal upright or informal upright/literati hybrid style. This spring I did some major pruning, removing unnecessary large branches at some of the nodes (wagon wheels) that would eventually have produced major swellings. Those are healing well and there are others that need to be removed in the spring.
I mainly wanted to find out if anyone has experience with how these trees respond to removal of some or all of the newly hardened candles? It sounds like they won't produce a second growth flush the same season, but the procedure should induce back budding. Do they backbud only where there are still needles, or will they also bud from bare wood? Anything else people have learned about this species and how it responds to various techniques would be appreciated.
Since everyone likes photos, I'll add one. It's not a great shot, but the best I can do right now. Trunk at the base (not visible) is about 2.5". There are some branches right at the soil line that could help thicken that area. The second trunk segment is kind of long and straight. The third segment (bending back to the left) is as well, but there are small branches in there that could be used to develop a new leader if I choose to go that way. Obviously the thick stuff at the top will need to be removed, it's currently being used to thicken the trunk.
Thanks,
Chris
A few years ago I picked up 2 Austrian pines at a nursery discount sale. Think they were about $5 each. Anyway, I planted both in the ground and they're doing well...very vigorous. One is developing a potentially decent (not great) trunk that could be used to make an informal upright or informal upright/literati hybrid style. This spring I did some major pruning, removing unnecessary large branches at some of the nodes (wagon wheels) that would eventually have produced major swellings. Those are healing well and there are others that need to be removed in the spring.
I mainly wanted to find out if anyone has experience with how these trees respond to removal of some or all of the newly hardened candles? It sounds like they won't produce a second growth flush the same season, but the procedure should induce back budding. Do they backbud only where there are still needles, or will they also bud from bare wood? Anything else people have learned about this species and how it responds to various techniques would be appreciated.
Since everyone likes photos, I'll add one. It's not a great shot, but the best I can do right now. Trunk at the base (not visible) is about 2.5". There are some branches right at the soil line that could help thicken that area. The second trunk segment is kind of long and straight. The third segment (bending back to the left) is as well, but there are small branches in there that could be used to develop a new leader if I choose to go that way. Obviously the thick stuff at the top will need to be removed, it's currently being used to thicken the trunk.
Thanks,
Chris
