Japanese White Pine

Normally, we do not so much look at things – as overlook them….

Japanese Proverb

Sadly this lovely tree is no longer under my care. It appears from time-to-time at RHS and other shows around the country, including the prestigious Chelsea flower Show.

This first of my case history trees is the only true specimen I ever purchased – and this first picture is pretty much as it was when after much negotiation it came into my care. A Japanese White Pine grafted onto a Black Pine root stock which is now approximately 160 years old.

Much work on refinement has ended up with a better shaped tree and also a very healthy one. Due for re-potting in 2011.

This first picture is shortly after purchase; looking a bit bare and sorry for itself.

 

After a few years of hard-work, intense wiring and reshaping with further candle development I was able to achieve this:

As you can see the tree has taken on a completely different look.

Now the tree is taking on a much smoother and less aggressive look. I pinch new candles by at least 50%, and possibly remove approximately 50% over a 4-5 week period working each layer with a break to prevent the tree from getting overly stressed. Wiring is absolutely minimal at the moment and will likely remain so for a further growing season. During the next phase I am concentrating on reducing needle size.

This Bonsai will be re-potted in mid-Spring 2011 and I will update again after initial growth has settled.

Well it settled very well indeed; considering it was a hard prune on the entire root structure. Some substantial sized roots were removed near the nebari that were both crossing and unattractive. Normally I would only ever root prune around 50% on this particular species. It was as I said a hard prune due to some root damage from those stupidly cold winters in 2009/10.

It has recovered superbly and health is as good as it could be. Thinned slightly but colour is stunning.