Cork Bark Japanese Black pine

[DeniseB]

This is my third spring with a Cork Bark JBP. I‘ve had a great new growth each year and this spring it looked great. Then I slip potted it into a larger pot. All my beautiful new growth and needles are brown. I did not disturb the roots at all. I have been lightly watering and treating it like its still alive. Is there any possibility it is? I know they are very finicky.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Post some pix of the tree and let’s have a look. Also, share your general geographic location and soil you’re using.

 

[19Mateo83]

Yes…. You cant tell and not show the goods

 

[sorce]

Then I slip potted it into a larger pot. . I did not disturb the roots

That's the problem causer.

Welcome to Crazy!

Every move must be for equal parts horticulture AND design at the same time.

Repotting to a larger pot is all horticulture, unfortunately, when you don't take the steps to open the roots and shorten the stance in a pot, the design aspect, the "trying to be careful" causes problems.

Last I checked, roots never been to a hotel or hung that sign up on the door!

Disturb them!

Sorce

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

That's the problem causer.

Welcome to Crazy!

Every move must be for equal parts horticulture AND design at the same time.

Repotting to a larger pot is all horticulture, unfortunately, when you don't take the steps to open the roots and shorten the stance in a pot, the design aspect, the "trying to be careful" causes problems.

Last I checked, roots never been to a hotel or hung that sign up on the door!

Disturb them!

Sorce

More nonsense, rascal. Let’s get a little info first before charging into the burning building that is labeled “summer repotting”.
…unless of course you can show some success repotting your corkbark JBP in late June…

 

[sorce]

More nonsense, rascal. Let’s get a little info first before charging into the burning building that is labeled “summer repotting”.
…unless of course you can show some success repotting your corkbark JBP in late June…

Talking about undone stuff doesn't mean do it.

Sorce

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Talking about undone stuff doesn't mean do it.

Sorce

 

[DeniseB]

Post some pix of the tree and let’s have a look. Also, share your general geographic location and soil you’re using.

Thanks Brian I’m concerned it’s a goner.

 

[DeniseB]

I repotted in early April. It’s in pumice, lava, and akadama. I’m in suburban Detroit MI

 

[DeniseB]

As you can see it has quite a root ball and is very solid I was advised to slowly work with the roots.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Thanks Brian I’m concerned it’s a goner.

I’m afraid you’re right. That rootball needed to be gently combed out so new roots could be introduced into that good soil, and the “dirt” under the trunk needed to be eliminated over the course of a couple reports. It is not good to slip-pot pines into a different media, although your new soil was probably superior to the original. Either the center never dries or it never gets fully watered, in either case those roots die before new ones can find their way into the new soil. Disappointing to be sure, but killing trees is just part of it.

 

[DeniseB]

I’m afraid you’re right. That rootball needed to be gently combed out so new roots could be introduced into that good soil, and the “dirt” under the trunk needed to be eliminated over the course of a couple reports. It is not good to slip-pot pines into a different media, although your new soil was probably superior to the original. Either the center never dries or it never gets fully watered, in either case those roots die before new ones can find their way into the new soil. Disappointing to be sure, but killing trees is just part of it.

Thanks for your kind response. The root ball was to hard to be able to loosen or comb out the roots at transplanting. I was told to work at them slowly and keep replacing the old soil with new over time. Not the first tree I’ve lost but an expensive one.

 

[nuttiest]

I can't believe this would be just putting in better soil, that just doesn't make sense. some of the needles are so small, is that a possible cause

 

[Cruiser]

Denise, was this Spring atypical compared to the last 2 your tree experienced? I wonder if there were additional factors at play that could have pushed it over the edge?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I can't believe this would be just putting in better soil, that just doesn't make sense. some of the needles are so small, is that a possible cause

The small needles suggest aggressive pruning in fall 2020 or spring ‘21 and a weak response in 2021.

 

[DeniseB]

Denise, was this Spring atypical compared to the last 2 your tree experienced? I wonder if there were additional factors at play that could have pushed it over the edge?

It was growing and healthy each year. This was no different.