I’ve been working on an old cork-bark black pine since 2004. The tree has improved a lot over the years, but it still has a ways to go. The main focus at this stage is increasing the branch density.
Cork-bark black pine – 23″
The tree is strong enough to decandle most years, but was weak for the past several following a root aphid infestation. This year I decandled the strong shoots, left the weak ones alone, and removed about half of the old needles – slow work on a pine of this size, but not bad with good help (thanks Danny and Andrea!).
Here’s the tree after this work was complete.
Cork-bark black pine after partial decandling and thining old needles
And here’s the tree fourteen years ago.
Cork-bark black pine as acquired in 2004
In reviewing the old photos, I’m struck by the difference in a few key areas. The current apex was created from three shoots. There are far more now.
Apex detail
The first branch on the left has also developed nicely. A small number of long, slender shoots have been replaced by a good number of much shorter branches.
Improved branch density – first branch on the left
And somehow, even the trunk has improved with time.
Trunk detail
Here are photos of the back and sides of the tree from 2004 and from earlier this week.
Right side – 2o18
Right side – 2004
Back – 2018
Back – 2004
Left side – 2018
Left side – 2004
The tree is long overdue for wiring and styling. If it comes out well this summer, I can look forward to taking this next step in fall.
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Yaroslav says
June 15, 2018 at 12:42 pmMaybe growth of horizontal roots helps for develop of nebari? I would really like to know the secret of such a fantastic nebari 🙂
Jonas Dupuich says
June 15, 2018 at 1:06 pmHi Yaroslav – yes, the growth of horizontal roots helps a lot. I think in this case the lateral roots were already in place and they, along with the lower part of the trunk, both swelled as the tree increased in vigor.
The “secret,” if you’re creating a tree from scratch, is to begin with good roots before planting the tree in the ground or in a large container. Starting with poor roots will very likely yield poor results.
Todd Morgan says
June 15, 2018 at 9:18 pmAlso, the roots have about doubled their height above the soil line… it all barks up so well, you effectively gain a taller tree and great bark… do you do that by gradually lowering the soil line every repot?
Jonas Dupuich says
June 15, 2018 at 9:58 pmHi Todd! Yes, I reveal a bit more trunk and/or root when I repot. After taking the tree out of the pot and clearing the soil away from the surface roots I expose as much as I can. Sometimes I can’t expose any new roots (because they look the same as before) and sometimes I can reveal lots of new roots.