JPB styling options

[Crowie]

I had this in a nursery pot for a while and finally got around to giving it a proper home!!!
Photos can help a lot but also dont do a tree justice sometimes.
The pic makes it seem planted a lot higher in the pot than it actually is and it only shows one jin of three that looks 90 degrees to the trunk.
Anyway was after some ideas, there are a couple of wiring scars on the trunk and was thinking of maybe carving a shari to hide them or would I be better of letting them heal over and keep the rough bark?
The first right hand branch up top is the obvious apex, should I develop this and wire down the rest or just chop the rest off and let it fill out ?

[Bretts]

Hi Crowie
This is going to be a nice looking tree but as you know it is not quite there yet.
It took me a while to see why you did not go for a much smaller compact tree. That first pics looks like it has alot down low. But I think I see why you went for a taller tree.

After looking at the pictures I agree the potential of the apex you suggest. I can't see much happening past that branch but I think you are very smart to leave that extra growth for now. IF that becomes the new apex that whole branch needs to thicken up some and maybe you will even utilize a bud further back after it thickens?

That will be fun material if you keep it vigorous in it's new pot

You could carve to hide the wire scars but I reckon there is no rush. I have started to nock the highest point of wire scars at the moment(while I decide what to do) it seems to make sense to at least take the bumps off.

[Jamie]

hi mate,

i reckon this tree could make a nice literati. the trunk isnt massive and there is little taper, but it has character in its movement, the first right hand branch wouldnt be necessary, i see this one with a sparse apex and a hanging branch from the apex.

Jamie

[Glenda]

I see you shortened the needles, yet I have been told not to do this as they will shorten naturally (but this advice may not be correct). Do you shorten needles, and how? When breaking them in half, the ends go brown, and cutting them the ends go brown.

Glenda

[craigw60]

Hi Crowie, I would drop that first branch on the left down so it becomes a hanging branch, then put some raffia on the apex and wire some nice extreme curves into it and bring it back so the crown sits over the root base. You also need to sort the roots out so it sits flat in the pot. Theres nothing wrong with a slow grown bunjin pine, it could turn out to be a beautiful tree.
Craig

[Crowie]

Thanks for the ideas,
Bretts,
Although there seems to be some low growth in the first pic it is actually sitting at an angle, the lowest branch is the first jin in the last pic which is why I went for a taller tree. Also what do you mean about knocking the highest point?

Jamie,
I am going for a literati as I couldn't see much else on offer. The trunk above the root base is about 25mm.

Glenda,
I shortened the needles by pinching them, this is only my second JBP and the first I did the same and had no needles go brown. I might have got lucky and hope this one doesn't brown either!!! I don't really have any experience with pines and am just trying my luck but I am sure others on here have plenty of advice to offer.

Craig,
Thanks for the ideas, might try and put some more curves in when it has settled and I have decided on its future!!!