pitch and loblolly from seed inspired by JBP contest

[*tree*]

The best Loblolly pine just started a second flush:

 

[*tree*]

Some extensions are good but a lot of them are utter disapointment.

 

[*tree*]

Second flushes on pitch pines starting now.

 

[*tree*]

Good growth I can tell.
Third flush is now extending on some of the pitch pines:

I tied some needles to the trunks like this which should do the job of plucking needles but the tree keeps the needles. I don't want to see less than maximum amount of growth so I won't cut any side branches yet.