Jack Pine Cascade

[grouper52]

I've got some old photos of this unruly child on my other computer, I think, and will maybe post some at a later date, but here's this bad boy today. Only someone who has struggled with these beasts can know the good, the bad and the ugly they bring to the bonsai masochist. Two have died under my tutelage, one went back in the ground for a much needed time out for a few years, and this guy - after about 7 years of brutal taming - is just now starting to get his act together.

Over the next season I hope to thin out and re-wire the foliage, and then see if I can shorten the needles over several seasons without killing it. Then, for one triumphant moment, it might look good enough to photograph well, and maybe I can convince some sucker to take it off my hands. And, hopefully, I'll never have a moment of weakness or insanity wherein I consider digging up and potting again the one that's in the ground. One of these is all any man should have to put up with in one lifetime.

 

[Mac In Oak Ridge]

I feel your pain.

 

[Bill S]

Hehe, I guess you know Jack.
It has barked up nicely though.

 

[grouper52]

Another update that didn't load yesterday. . .

 

[fore]

Just some absolutely fantastic trees, and gorgeous pots to match too on all these trees you've posted Will. I thought you had culled your collection lol Just so nice!

Chris

 

[grouper52]

Just some absolutely fantastic trees, and gorgeous pots to match too on all these trees you've posted Will. I thought you had culled your collection lol Just so nice!

Chris

Thanks for your kind words, Chris.

I have culled my collection a bit. I sold four of my finished trees locally, and also gave away a huge amount of starter material I had accumulated over the years but was unlikely to do anything with in this lifetime. For the right price, all but a few would be for sale if someone really wants them, and I may still give a few away to newbies with talent locally, and I may still formally sell a few more locally. So I'm getting things culled slowly, but there is a core group of favorites I'm certainly hanging on to, and I'm not buying anything new. (I may still go collecting, but will be very selective. )

 

[grouper52]

Some folks were asking about my other Jack Pine, a project stalled in the ground, and I though I'd post an update on this guy. Overall looks a tad better with two small foliated branches dying off this winter. I like to just stress my trees a little bit and let them loose the branches they choose, rather than decide which ones must go - the appearance is more natural that way. Enjoy

 

[M. Frary]

You're giving me hope with these trees Grouper. Thanks.

 

[Shorty54]

Wow, I hope to one day have a Bonsai of this caliber in my collection! AMAZING....thank you so much for sharing this beauty!

 

[jeanluc83]

Your trees are always top notch but your ability to capture them in a photograph is second to none. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Potawatomi13]

What a great tree And you think something's wrong with it. I will be generous and your new friend and take it off your hands to end your misery.

 

[grouper52]

Your trees are always top notch but your ability to capture them in a photograph is second to none. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for your kind words everyone.

jeanluc, you might enjoy my post on bonsai photography in the Resources section. I think a forum like this is a lot more gratifying and enjoyable for folks if they can easily post really nice photos of their trees. It's really not hard.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

That is a great Jack Pine. It has tightened up nicely since the 2013 photo. Needles are a little shorter. Compared to the typical JBP, I think your needles are short enough, really quite nice, and a nice hint of blue in their color. great use of a species not often used for bonsai. Nice. How old do you think this tree is?

 

[grouper52]

That is a great Jack Pine. It has tightened up nicely since the 2013 photo. Needles are a little shorter. Compared to the typical JBP, I think your needles are short enough, really quite nice, and a nice hint of blue in their color. great use of a species not often used for bonsai. Nice. How old do you think this tree is?

Thanks for your kind words. Sounds like you know the species.

I really have no idea how old it is: I don't know where it was raised nor how quickly they grow under various conditions, but I'm assuming, like most of the garden nursery trees here, it was raised in northern Oregon. If I had to make a guess - based on no solid evidence, nor even any compelling hints or theories - I'd say 15-25 years, but I'd really just be blowing smoke if I said that.

(Can we say "blowing smoke" on this forum?)

 

[grouper52]

Actually, I was able to track down a series of photos from my early days in the ring with this fellow, before I learned the finer points of bonsai submission wrestling. You've come a long way, Baby!

First, 2006 - 2007.

 

[grouper52]

And then 2008. Enjoy.

 

[M. Frary]

nor how quickly they grow under various conditions,

In the landscape they grow fairly fast. I believe the U.S. Forest service let's companies timber them off at 25 or 30 years. Those trees are 8 to 12 inches in diameter and 40 to 60 feet tall.

 

[grouper52]

In the landscape they grow fairly fast. I believe the U.S. Forest service let's companies timber them off at 25 or 30 years. Those trees are 8 to 12 inches in diameter and 40 to 60 feet tall.

Then I may be in the ball park with my 15-25 year estimate. Trunk's almost 3" diameter, and I've had it for almost ten years, and it was probably harvested a year or two before that. I also believe this was one of those
contorted variants that are raised to look "special" in some way in the yard, and which grow less robustly than the species. So, all things considered, probably more towards 25 years (or more) than 15.

Thanks for that info.