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Black pine – work in progress

January 28, 2020 by Jonas Dupuich

After developing the branches on a black pine for the past nineteen years, it was time to give the tree a haircut.

Black pine

Black Pine

After reducing the apex

After reducing the apex

When I acquired the tree twenty years ago, it was much taller. After showing it at Bay Island Bonsai’s second exhibit, I removed the top third of the trunk and began creating a new apex.

Over the last few years, the new apex had grown too large for the tree, making me think it was time to repeat the operation.

The plan went from thought to action when Daisaku Nomoto, a friend and bonsai professional visiting from Japan, made the same suggestion. I got out the camera, gave the go-ahead, and watched the branches fall.

Cut area

A better look at the cut area

Apex

The previous apex – about fifteen years in the making

The lowest branches got the same treatment. On the right side, the first pad comprises three separate branches. We removed the branches emerging closest to the front of the trunk.

First branch on the right

The first branches on the right side

After pruning

After removing the branches growing from the front of the tree

The lowest branch on the left side offered a natural point for reduction.

First branch on the left

The lowest branch on the left side

After pruning

After reducing the branch

Although cutback is far from complete, here’s the foliage removed on the first pass.

Cut branches

Cut branches

And here’s the tree after rearranging the apex.

Black pine

Black pine after cutback and rearranging the apex – 15″

I’ll thin out the rest of the branches and pluck extra needles over the coming weeks. Five months from now, I’ll cut back even further at decandling time in an effort to create a more compact silhouette.

You can find a photo of this tree before cutback on page 83 of The Little Book of Bonsai. Speaking of books…

The Little Book of Bonsai is on Sale Now!

I’m happy to announce that The Little Book of Bonsai is available online and in stores today! I’ll have it on the Bonsai Tonight store soon. In the meantime, you can find copies online and at select retail outlets. Learn more about The Little Book of Bonsai.

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Filed Under: Bonsai Development Tagged With: Black Pine

Previous Post: « Bay Area Bonsai Associates’ 39th annual exhibit
Next Post: Defining the branch structure on a Korean hornbeam »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mirko says

    January 28, 2020 at 5:53 am

    Complimenti ci vuole molto coraggioso

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      January 28, 2020 at 10:58 am

      Ha – thanks Mirko!

  2. AlainK says

    January 28, 2020 at 10:30 am

    Waouh ! (English: WOW!) That’s a very daring move, and it looks great.

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      January 28, 2020 at 10:56 am

      Thanks, Alain!

  3. Bob says

    January 28, 2020 at 1:30 pm

    The part you cut off and threw away is better than any of my trees lol!

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      January 28, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      Ha! It’s kind of like sending a nineteen year project into the recycling bin.

  4. Richard Dorfman says

    January 29, 2020 at 3:03 am

    “Hesitation creates gaps, boldness obliterates them”. – Robert Greene

    Big move, Jonas. Can’t wait to see this tree a few years down the road.

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      January 29, 2020 at 9:30 am

      Great quote – thanks Richard! Will be sure to post updates along the way.

  5. Edward Stanton says

    January 29, 2020 at 7:16 am

    Jonas, another very helpful blog. Judging by the color of your JBP in the photos, it has come out of dormancy–am I right? In colder climates (zone 6 and lower), most conifers are still dormant. What do you think would be the best time for a big apex reduction on a JBP in these zones? End of dormancy, spring push, later?

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      January 29, 2020 at 9:30 am

      Thanks Ed! I think the start of the growing season through spring is good as that gives the tree time to start healing before it slows down at the end of the season. This tree has stayed green through winter this year – some pines turn yellow and others keep their color as the temps are relatively warm here in winter (into the 30s but not much below freezing).

  6. Chris K says

    January 29, 2020 at 11:08 am

    Outstanding work Jonas, thank you for sharing!

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      January 29, 2020 at 11:11 am

      Thanks, Chris!

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