Stub and carve or cut flush?

[Victrinia Ridgeway]

Why are you repotting it? Just curious....

I know it's not in a bonsai pot... which could inspire such a desire... but if you want that fixed... AND on it's way to being healed... don't repot it next year. Pines are not deciduous trees... which would (when correctly handled) just bounce back and thrive on and heal over in a year... they get pretty slow following a repot. You don't get a lot of vigor out of them generally until year two. You've got tissue you'll want to build up... and that wound needs to be fixed before that gets going. Pines don't cover up all that well to begin with unless you know how to coax it out of them. and right now you've designed your carving in such a way as to heal over, but not in a flattering way (in the long run).

Best of luck... hope you'll come to the convention.

V

 

[Paradox]

This is a fantastic tree that will only get better if you let it.
For the love of God, please leave it alone and get it to someone that can help you with it!

 

[jeanluc83]

Regrettably, I should probably have left it like this.

No, I think you made the right decision cutting it. Don't look back. The tree is now much more compact and I feel has a better future.

I agree with Victrinia that at this point you need professional help. I am not saying this as criticism. There is a point with some trees that you just don't know what to do (pretty much all of my trees fit this category). Once someone else points out what needs to be done you wonder why you didn't see it from the beginning.

This can still be a really good tree so don't give up on it.

 

[Mudroot]

Why are you repotting it? Just curious....

V

While I'm hesitant to, it is SO rootbound with circling roots.
I noticed in just the potted piney stuff around the yard that they NEVER seemed to be in distress even after years with no attention and sitting in same pot.

This thread summarizes the history of this tree.

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?16251-Pine-story

It regenerated for YEARS in a tipped over pot in a pasture and when I got it, I just put it in akadama and left it.

While I realize that repotting will slow all the stuff I have done, I worry that it will choke up on the mass of TIGHT girdling roots.

The tenacity of the darn thing surprised me as the tipped over pot in the field was never watered or tended except for some garden spray from the other side of the fence.

I just never thought to look at the roots after I got it. It was so near dead at that time.

Probly 8 years or more unpotted and unattended.

Poor ole thing.

Which risk to choose?

 

[Victrinia Ridgeway]

A year longer won't give it any problem. Pines can go many years without repotting. Your roots are already a mess from the sounds of it... One more year will not harm it. Health first by the surest path is the first guiding principal... that which is the surest path for you isn't the surest path for others of course. I'm saying this based on what I believe to be your level of experience. The tree is worth preserving.

Are you a member of the Sacramento Bonsai Club? I have no doubt there are many people there who can help accelerate this process for you.

V