Rateeluck's First Japanese Black Pine

Rateeluck

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Not quite sure where to start. Posting here to track progress. Was told it's a Mikawa JBP. Looks like 10-12 years old. Base is 2.5" It's been chopped about 4 times judging by how the trunk moves. Taper is okay

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Shibui

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Definitely take the base into account. A great trunk with roots sticking out of the ground on one side still looks terrible.
Look for taper wherever possible. I'd consider using the thinner branch for the top of front 1 instead of the thicker main trunk.

I also like the look of front 2 better even without seeing the 3 D trunk bends. Looks like it also has a thinner apical shoot too.

Not sure how thick you are aiming for the trunk to be but I'd probably consider starting to cut some of the primary branches to start getting ramification before they get too long and lanky.
 

Rateeluck

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Definitely take the base into account. A great trunk with roots sticking out of the ground on one side still looks terrible.
Look for taper wherever possible. I'd consider using the thinner branch for the top of front 1 instead of the thicker main trunk.

I also like the look of front 2 better even without seeing the 3 D trunk bends. Looks like it also has a thinner apical shoot too.

Not sure how thick you are aiming for the trunk to be but I'd probably consider starting to cut some of the primary branches to start getting ramification before they get too long and lanky.
Pardon the questions… so do I let the yellow sacrifice to continue to grow if I want a larger trunk or is the sacrifice already too big and need to select another? To start ramification on the lower branches, just start candle pruning next summer? My thought was the repot in spring and do nothing else in the year. Advice appreciated

Happy new year!

sacrifice is yellow, branch green, new apex blue?


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Shibui

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Leaving the sacrifice to grow will definitely increase trunk diameter below the point of attachment. Downside is the larger it gets the bigger the scar when you finally remove it. A vigorous sacrifice branch can also suppress lower branches so developing ramification below can be slower. Most growers remove lower shoots and needles from sacrifice branches to allow plenty of light to the lowest branches and reduce competition.
As it is your first JBP I guess you will be going for faster development. I often sacrifice some speed for quality and chop sacrifice branches while they are still relatively thin so the scars heal over quicker - then grow another sacrifice branch to add further bulk. This approach adds a few years to the project but usually gives superior results.

I often still decandle after repotting. Just monitor how the tree responds to the root reduction. If candle growth is strong you can still decandle the same year but if it is not growing well allow growth to strengthen the tree.
 

Rateeluck

Yamadori
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Location
Maryland
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Leaving the sacrifice to grow will definitely increase trunk diameter below the point of attachment. Downside is the larger it gets the bigger the scar when you finally remove it. A vigorous sacrifice branch can also suppress lower branches so developing ramification below can be slower. Most growers remove lower shoots and needles from sacrifice branches to allow plenty of light to the lowest branches and reduce competition.
As it is your first JBP I guess you will be going for faster development. I often sacrifice some speed for quality and chop sacrifice branches while they are still relatively thin so the scars heal over quicker - then grow another sacrifice branch to add further bulk. This approach adds a few years to the project but usually gives superior results.

I often still decandle after repotting. Just monitor how the tree responds to the root reduction. If candle growth is strong you can still decandle the same year but if it is not growing well allow growth to strengthen the tree.

Good info, thanks. When is the best time to cut the sacrifice? Spring during the repot?
 

Shibui

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I have seen references to pines 'bleeding' after cuts when they are active but have never seen that in practice down here so I prune pines any time of year, including at repotting.
 

Rateeluck

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1 year update: Cut the sacrifice and repotted. Plan to grow out another sacrifice for a while

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