Mugo Pine History 1985-2012

[Vance Wood]

This little Mugo, a Mops I believe was acquired in 1985. I repotted in spring of 86 and for the next two growing seasons it did nothing. I believe I had killed the tree but it did not look like it was fully dead so I kept it.



A few years latter it looked like this.



I repotted it in spring again and almost lot it----again.



This tree more than any other has reinforced my theory of summer repotting of Mugo Pines. The following shows the tree as I have started tp redesign it this last summer.

Seem to be having problems downloading this guy, I'll try again latter.

 

[Vance Wood]

I started repotting this tree in the summer several cycles ago. When I was finally convinced it was going to survive the process I started seriously looking at the tree. I started a drastic redesign this last summer. It is still rough but a rudimentary profile has been established and there is some definate direction established. I realize this tree is no where near show ready but some of you have asked to see how I get from one point to another with raw material. This one has not only been raw it has been very difficult. I believe it says something about the dwarf variety and it's difficulties.



Remember the beginning?

 

[Zach Smith]

This little Mugo, a Mops I believe was acquired in 1985. I repotted in spring of 86 and for the next two growing seasons it did nothing. I believe I had killed the tree but it did not look like it was fully dead so I kept it.

A few years latter it looked like this.

I repotted it in spring again and almost lot it----again.

This tree more than any other has reinforced my theory of summer repotting of Mugo Pines. The following shows the tree as I have started tp redesign it this last summer.

Seem to be having problems downloading this guy, I'll try again latter.

Fine work, Vance. Thanks for sharing.

Zach

 

[cmeg1]

Great tree Vance.It has a certain appeal to me.Glad to see you stuck with it.

 

[Dan W.]

Thanks for the progression Vance, I really like this one It appears that the bark is coming on nicely too!

 

[Vance Wood]

I realize that the bark on a Mugo is no where as dramatic as the bark on a JBP, but that's life. Mugos do get a reasonably pleasing bark, enough to impart the image of age which is the idea in the first place. There were times in the past when my penchant toward Mugos was poo-pooed as being a wast of time--- because of the bark.

 

[0soyoung]

I realize that the bark on a Mugo is no where as dramatic as the bark on a JBP, but that's life. Mugos do get a reasonably pleasing bark, enough to impart the image of age which is the idea in the first place. There were times in the past when my penchant toward Mugos was poo-pooed as being a wast of time--- because of the bark.

Thanks for wasting your time Vance. I very much admire your 'Papillon spirit'. You've made mugos fun for me and an abundant number of other enthusiasts.


'Papillon spirit' refers to the closing scene of the movie 'Papillon' - the camera pans down onto Steve McQueen as Papillon on his coconut shell raft; he shakes his fist and screams "screw you bastards!". What other answer does poo-poo deserve?

 

[Dan W.]

I personally like age in any bark. It's one sign of age that can't really be faked..not easily anyway.