Japanese Black Pine - long term growth/styling question

[UncleTrout]

Hey y’all,

I have this Japanese black pine I got sometime last year and have just been letting it grow.

I am curious y’all’s thoughts on the branch shooting out to the right and if it could be air layered off? I would love to add another JBP to my collection.

But I have never styled a pine and am wondering if y’all see potential in that right branch that I, as a complete rookie, am missing? Other than using it as a sacrifice branch…

 

[Shibui]

Very hard to give good styling advice when the only view we have is crowded with foliage so we cannot see the main trunk, other branches or where that big one starts.
The trunk is still pretty thin so I would definitely retain that longer branch as a sacrifice even if it can't be used as part of the design.

 

[UncleTrout]

Very hard to give good styling advice when the only view we have is crowded with foliage so we cannot see the main trunk, other branches or where that big one starts.
The trunk is still pretty thin so I would definitely retain that longer branch as a sacrifice even if it can't be used as part of the design.

Ahh good point. It is a pretty bad photo now that you mention it haha. I have tried to take some better pics but these needles prove difficult to get great shots.

Would you style the sacrifice branch? Then air layer it off to form a new tree down the line?

 

[SeanS]

Ahh good point. It is a pretty bad photo now that you mention it haha. I have tried to take some better pics but these needles prove difficult to get great shots.

Would you style the sacrifice branch? Then air layer it off to form a new tree down the line?

The lower trunk has some nice movement so you’re off to a good start. I’d let the sacrifice do its thing as is and then chop it off eventually. I wouldn’t waste my time air layering it off. Are JBP hard to come by in your area?

 

[Wulfskaar]

I think it needs to grow this year.

Air layers on JBP are not normally done due to low or no success. You can use that as a sacrifice branch that will fatten the trunk below it. Once the trunk is where you want it, you chop it off.

Also, the candles are short, and the tree is young, so I'd just let the candles grow out this year unless you want branching in a specific location.

I've got a bunch that are in the same boat and that's pretty much the advice I've been given.

 

[UncleTrout]

The lower trunk has some nice movement so you’re off to a good start. I’d let the sacrifice do its thing as is and then chop it off eventually. I wouldn’t waste my time air layering it off. Are JBP hard to come by in your area?

I’ve never seen one local. I got this one online and wouldn’t hesitate to use the same place, but I’m trying to expand the collection without spending money.. plus they are sold out!

 

[UncleTrout]

I think it needs to grow this year.

Air layers on JBP are not normally done due to low or no success. You can use that as a sacrifice branch that will fatten the trunk below it. Once the trunk is where you want it, you chop it off.

Also, the candles are short, and the tree is young, so I'd just let the candles grow out this year unless you want branching in a specific location.

I've got a bunch that are in the same boat and that's pretty much the advice I've been given.

Thanks for the info!

Yeah I don’t necessarily know what I’m doing so won’t chop any candles and will just watch how it grows for another season, see if a shape comes as it develops.

 

[Mike Westervelt]

You are money and time ahead to get some seeds, should be able to reproduce what you have now in 2-3 years

https://sheffields.com/seeds-for-sa.../1096/Japanese-Black-Pine/Japanese-Black-Pine

 

[UncleTrout]

You are money and time ahead to get some seeds, should be able to reproduce what you have now in 2-3 years

https://sheffields.com/seeds-for-sa.../1096/Japanese-Black-Pine/Japanese-Black-Pine

Thank you for the link! I actually just ordered some but this website is much better pricing… will be using in the future

 

[Shibui]

Layering JBP is possible but not always quick or successful.
If JBP is hard to come by then by all means try it. You do need to realise that sacrifice branch, indeed, the entire tree will look very different after a couple of years of growing so make that decision when the time comes rather than deciding on what you see now.

Ahh good point. It is a pretty bad photo now that you mention it haha. I have tried to take some better pics but these needles prove difficult to get great shots.

The perennial problem of photos for styling evergreens. The best advice is always from someone who can touch the tree and see and feel where all branches start and finish. Any photo based or internet advice should be treated with caution.
There's probably not a great deal you can do ore decide at this stage. The tree will almost certainly change drastically as it grows and thickens so a final design will usually be way different to any initial proposal based on the current shape and size.
I would let it grow and deal with what you get then.