Pinus pinaster (Maritime pine)

[John Henry]

Hi All,
Could anyone give me info on Pinus pinaster (Maritime pine) used as a bonsai , i have one and only know of one other. Pinus pinaster is a two needle pine with very course and long needles i have been treating it the same as a black pine.
Any info on growing this pine as a bonsai would be appreciated.
Thanks, John

[kcpoole]

the only thing I can find is this wiki about the trees
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_pinaster
and this Thread on Bonsai Talk http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/f14/pinus-p ... post274760

Looks interesting though and the red bark might look nice. Interesting they are related to the Alleppo Pine which is famous here as the "Lone Pine" From Gallipolli

Suggest maybe a large specimen?

The Wiki article mentions that they have become naturalised here. What does this mean? they they are now classed as native?

Ken

[Kigawa]

Pinus pinaster is the most common plantation timber pine in Western Australia. Most pine plantations around Perth are Pinus pinaster. When I visited one of those plantations near Perth I observed that the soil there was just sand and at that time it hadn't rained for more than two months. It must be very drought resistant, because even small saplings were still alive. I also noticed that there was a remarkable variation in needle length. All this could mean that reduced watering and low nitrogen food combined with pruning would reduce the needle size the same way as in Black Pine. A lot of Maritime Pines in Perth have been removed because its dead wood harbours European House Borer beetle. So, if you are growing it in Perth suburbs watch out those chunky jins. The beetle likes to lay eggs in very narrow cracks and the jin wouldn't show any external signs of damage until it's too late. Once-a-year application of lime sulphur may not be enough to prevent it, so I would do it 2-3 times a year and try to get it into the cracks as deep as you can (the beetle’s egg laying organ is like an inch-long flexible telescopic antenna).

[John Henry]

Hi all Pine fans,if you can find one of these Maritime pines you will love them, very hardy well worth a go.The new candles come out a redish colour also the bark.
Cheers john m

[Brian]

John,
I sold a very large specimen of Pinaster about 15 years ago at BSV show. As I recall the needles are very long and it doesn't back bud if you prune it heavily. It also suffers from branch dieback with wiring if you are not extremely careful. The good point is it has lovely old gnarled bark. I find radiata pines more suitable for bonsai.

[John Henry]

Thanks Brian,i havn"t found any of these problems they seem to respond well.I do have a very large Maritime that i have had for about 12 years the tree has had a hugh amount of work done to it within that time it will be on display at the BSV show in early October look out for me if you can get there.
Thanks John