One of my fourteen-year-old pines is a lot bigger than the others. Beyond some selective pruning the last few years, I’ve mostly let the tree grow freely. This year, it’s time to select a branch to continue the trunk line.
Why this year? After looking at the options for the future front of the tree and the branches available to continue the trunk line, it became clear that there were few branches to choose from and that now was a good time to start this new line so it would be ready when it’s time to remove the main sacrifice branch.
Here’s the process I went through to set this new trunk line.
Black pine – about 6′ tall
I started by removing a side branch that emerged along the main sacrifice branch. This branch was shading out the branches I’m interested in developing.
After removing a branch on the left side of the tree
Next I removed some low branches on the right side of the tree. I’d saved them thinking they might be usable in the final design but decided they emerged at an awkward location on the trunk.
After removing a low branch on the right
With these branches gone, I then removed some old needles to open up some dense areas and let more light pass through to the lower branches.
After removing needles along the sacrifice branch
Although it’s hard to see in the photo above, the tree only has two low branches at this point. Two branches can be a great starting point for creating a bonsai. One can serve as the first branch, and the other can become the new trunk.
I’ve grown a number of pines using this approach. For this tree, I’ll wire the lower branch down and the upper branch up so it can serve as a new section of the trunk. Here are the branches wired.
After wiring
Close up showing the new trunk line and the first branch
As the tree hadn’t been repotted in a while, I took it out of the pot and worked on the roots.
After removing the tree from the pot
I removed a few large roots that grew at awkward angles and cut off the bottom third of the root ball. This will be enough to fit the tree into the new pot.
After root work
After repotting
I selected a terra cotta pot for the tree as it has a shape that’s closer to the shape I ultimately want the root ball to take. I thought about using a colander, but I didn’t have a colander the right size or strength for the tree.
My main job for the coming months will be to make sure the wire doesn’t cut in too much. In fall, I plan to reduce the first branch and take a look at where the trunk might go from here.
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maik says
I have only just started out on my Bonsai journey, so this post and the others I have so far received via your newsletter are far in advance of where I am currently.
BUT everything you do is so clearly explained and photographed and I am learning so much!
Thank you very much and please keep up these excellent posts / lessons.
Jonas Dupuich says
Thank you Maik – I appreciate it!
If you’re curious, here’s a series aimed at beginners: https://bonsaitonight.com/2016/12/06/how-to-identify-appropriate-environment-for-bonsai/
maik says
That’s really kind of you Jonas
Many Thanks from the UK
Shay cohen says
Hi Jonas,
Love your posts!
I wanted to ask, do you usually do this kind of work together and at this timing? Selective pruning with repot is OK?
Is there a limit to the amount of foliage you remove?
Thank you very much for your continues support! You can take credit for the fact that there are JBP in Israel growing strong every year for the past 4 years.
Regards,
Shay
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Shay – thanks for the note! I treat young pines like this different from more mature specimens. Removing a couple of branches and doing minor root work doesn’t typically slow the tree down significantly.
Am looking forward to seeing the trees you’ve been developing someday!
Gordon Kelsch says
Jonas
I appreciate these specific pre bonsai development lessons as you are the only one I have found that teaches this early development and it’s so very important. Everybody and their brother will tell you how to train a bonsai already existing but it seems nobody will talk about development up to that stage., especially with jbp
Thank you so much
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks Gordon – I appreciate it! Do let me know if you ever have specific questions or suggestions for future posts and I’ll see what I can do!
Evan says
How big is the trunk
Jonas Dupuich says
The trunk is roughly 3″ across above the flare of the roots.
Ann says
Jonas – do you grow any of your trees in the ground before potting them up into pots/tubs etc? To fatten the trunk up quickly?
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Ann! I have yet to grow pines in the ground. I sometimes buy pines that were ground grown and develop the branches, but I tend to container grow them in my garden. While the trunk fattens up faster in the ground, it’s easier to maintain the trees when they’re portable. Maybe I’ll give ground growing a try down the road.
Derek Belt says
I read bonsai tonight daily. But rarely leave a comment. I just want to say thank you Jonas for taking the time to blog. There has been may of times im in the garden over the years. Im stuck an ill say to myself lets see what Jonas would do. THANKS JONAS
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Derek – I really appreciate it! I hope you’re trees are looking great these days.