leatherback
The Treedeemer
In February I managed to get a decent cork-bark pine. Grafted on non-cork variety, unfortunately. But that is normal for the variety I think.
As it was a new tree, I took it to a workshop and we decided on a repot, as the original ground-soil was still in the roots. As we pulled it from the pot, it was clear that the previous repot had been just an uppot: Halfway through the rootball there was a pot-sized rootmesh embedded in the rootball. We had to cut of 50% of the roots, and maybe 90% of the root ends. At the same time we removed a few branches in the top, as last year it was clearly not trimmed and the top of the tree was pushing so hard, we feared the bottom branch might not make it.
The tree went home. Full sun. Carefull watering. Spring came. Nothing. No New Growth. I do trust the guy of the workshop. But.. Considering he was certain the tree would push growth in spring and take the work as if nothing had happened.. I would like to broaden the ideas on this.
I am slightly concerned. I am not good with pines, so would like to suggestions on how to get this tree back to the active members of the collection, and not see it succumb slowly. So.. I wonder.. Should I do ANY work on it now? What can I do now to make the chances better? I just saw how @fredtruck has a long record of keeping these. Anybody else any thoughts?
As purchased:
After working it:
In summer:
As it was a new tree, I took it to a workshop and we decided on a repot, as the original ground-soil was still in the roots. As we pulled it from the pot, it was clear that the previous repot had been just an uppot: Halfway through the rootball there was a pot-sized rootmesh embedded in the rootball. We had to cut of 50% of the roots, and maybe 90% of the root ends. At the same time we removed a few branches in the top, as last year it was clearly not trimmed and the top of the tree was pushing so hard, we feared the bottom branch might not make it.
The tree went home. Full sun. Carefull watering. Spring came. Nothing. No New Growth. I do trust the guy of the workshop. But.. Considering he was certain the tree would push growth in spring and take the work as if nothing had happened.. I would like to broaden the ideas on this.
I am slightly concerned. I am not good with pines, so would like to suggestions on how to get this tree back to the active members of the collection, and not see it succumb slowly. So.. I wonder.. Should I do ANY work on it now? What can I do now to make the chances better? I just saw how @fredtruck has a long record of keeping these. Anybody else any thoughts?
As purchased:
After working it:
In summer: