AusBonsai

1yr on an i finaly trained this pine for the first time its was a bit leggy with a dead straight trunk above the first branch so going with a semi cascade style for now. One thing that im not sure on can i lop the top of as its not needed or do i have to wait

This is my first go at a pine its was planted at my parents 15yrs ago an i collected it last march

I can't tell you if now is a good time to cut back or not as I haven't worked with Aleppo, but they grow really well here in the desert so I've been eyeing them for a bit now. I'll be interested to see how it goes for you. I've read that the needles don't reduce well.

So are you using just the one branch on the design? Seems like a lot tree to chop off that will leave a pretty drastic transition. Just my as I've seen a lot of your other designs turn out really nice, so you seem to have pretty good vision with things. Hard to tell too when I can only see a photo, trees always look different in 3D.

Wow, I love the bark and the look of this species, very nice. Hope it comes good for you. I can see what you are thinking with this specimen, and should look very good if it works.

I would cut it off a few cm's above the branch above the one you are using for the design for now. There is not a lot of strength in the one you are using compared to the top of the tree, so taking it back in 2 stages would be asdvised. You need to give the tree a chance to get most of the sap into the line you want before cutting to ensure everything continues to grow well. You will be able to chop where you want in 8 - 12 months time when it is stronger.

Tony

Tony Bebb wrote:I would cut it off a few cm's above the branch above the one you are using for the design for now. There is not a lot of strength in the one you are using compared to the top of the tree, so taking it back in 2 stages would be asdvised. You need to give the tree a chance to get most of the sap into the line you want before cutting to ensure everything continues to grow well. You will be able to chop where you want in 8 - 12 months time when it is stronger.

Tony

Cut here is that right

I think that is a bit too agressive, it is best to go slowly on old pines. Instead of making a large cut you might remove the very tall branches and simply reduce the foliage by half on the rest of the unwanted branches.
This will force the energy into the branch you wish to keep without completely killing the other branches. When the "keepers" are srtong you can remove the rest.

Cut here is that right

That's the suggestion OC

Nothing wrong with being a bit more conservative as Gerard suggested. Either way I would take my time

I cut at the red line today these pines are like weeds in S.A grow very fast in the right conditions so hopefully its all good might have to find room for another one some how my mum has got one i gave to her many yrs ago it isnt a bonsai as much now as it hasnt been train for many yrs now. The foliage is very short maybe 4cm needles at the most it back buds all the time an this yr had a little cone on it . Only reason i can think of why its growing like this is she hasnt repotted in over 6-7 yrs she told me so maybe thats the trick with these pines

Not surprised you just got into it OC. From your previous posts you don't seem to mind having a go.

Nise to know you have some experience with the species. Gives you something to work to.

Love to see some pics in spring.

New buds are coming on this tree an today noticed that some of the wire is starting to cut into the bark an has to be removed didnt think this would happen so fast at this time of yr on a pine

Olivecrazy wrote:New buds are coming on this tree an today noticed that some of the wire is starting to cut into the bark an has to be removed didnt think this would happen so fast at this time of yr on a pine

I was at a Demo last night and the demonstrator was a Japanese bloke by the name of Yusuke Uchida (Uchi). Uchi stated that this climate is great for pines as the winter in Vic is not too cold. I'm guessing that it's a little warmer up your end hence they'd be liking it a bit more. Also, you must have magic ferts coz everything you grow goes mental!

Either way -

I want an Allepo and will be getting my hands on one as soon as I can!

-Mo

Took the wire of today an sort well its growing so why not re wire the tree made some changes starting pulling the main branch lower an then making some adjustments to branch placement. It has buds coming but only small right now ill take a picture when they are bigger.

Have been thinking about trying a graft on the main trunk area to make new leader but not sure when is the best time

Been working this pine during the winter an early spring its growing well an seems to handle any thing i have done so far. Decided to use the back branch it was bendy with heavy wire dont know where this tree is heading but soon find out

Final got to this pine today after seeing a post on here about compacting the crown of a white i think it was its grown a bit since last time an all ways believe if a tree is actively growing why not train it .Starting to get some where now this type of pine seems to handle bending as i haven't lost a branch even if it cracks or half breaks

I saw these all over the Greek islands what an awesome tree.... Keen to see it refined....