Here’s another black pine that’s slowly regaining vigor. There’s plenty of new foliage on the strongest shoots, but many of the weaker branches have just a few new needles each.
Old black pine
Where there are many new needles, I can remove all of the old the needles.
Relatively strong branch
After removing the 3rd year needles
After removing last year’s needles
On the weakest branches, I removed a few of the downward facing needles and left the rest alone.
Weak branch
After removing the downward facing needles
Needle-pulling complete
I expect a number of the yellow needles to turn brown and fall off over the next month or two so the tree will likely look thinner by the end of the year. It will likely be a full year before I can start working on the branches, and possibly two before the lowest branch is strong enough for wiring or decandling.
Related Post
Subscribe to Bonsai Tonight
New Posts Delivered Every Tuesday and Friday
Edward Stanton says
The clear differentiation between 3rd-, 2nd- and 1st-year needles is very helpful in this post. Thank you.
Jonas Dupuich says
Thanks, Ed, am happy to hear it!
Guy says
Hi Jonas,
What time of year can this be done?
I am in the southern hemisphere and going in to summer now.
Jonas Dupuich says
Good question Guy – the best time to remove old needles is fall, once the new growth has hardened off. In the northern hemisphere October or November is a good time, so it could be that April or May would be the right time in the southern hemisphere.
Guy says
Thank you Jonas, will wait till then