AusBonsai

This Radiata pine is about 10-12 years old, I have had it for about 2 years and haven't done a thing
to it in this time. My Aunt had it in this ugly concrete pot, which I have been told is bad for pines as they
don't like the alkalinity plus I need to reduce the size of this pot by half in my opinion, any tips?

On second thoughts I don't think this is a radiata as I had a closer look at it and the needles are in pairs not 3s and the bark colour is grey, any suggestions?

I hope I can explain this well.

That branch which is actually an extension of the trunk and goes off to the right in the first pic, let that go crazy.

The rest of the tree just needs regular de-candling so make it a priority to learn this ASAP.

Right now, I would be wiring the trees basic branch structure (ignoring the sacrifice branch alluded to above) and just positioning things to ensure maximum light gets into the inner branches.

In the future the sacrifice on the right will become a short Jinn and the trunk under it would be nice and thick but gently tapers off along the remainder of the tree. This would result in quite a stunning tree if it all goes well.

As for the pot, it's not really a crime but change it out for something else.

-Mo

looks nice nad healthy, so dunno that the Concrete woud upset it.
Long and lanky growth there tho. Interesting trunk.

may well be a nice literati in there?

Ken

I would repot it when the candles elongate and start to open.

Hi MT , mate what you have there is a Pinus Nigra Austriaca , or a European Black Pine . The unmistakable silver shoot , silver /grey flaking bark and the twisted needle are all traits of the Pinus Nigra Austriaca . If you would like to check a couple of topics here on Pinus Nigra I.D i posted in the past , they give you the needle size and shape , bark colour and pattern and cone make up . All should lead to a positive I.D as a Nigra .

Cheers . Alpineart