Bonsaify | Fall Work on a Field Grown Japanese Black Pine in Middle Development: Pruning and Wiring

Eric revisits a large field grown Japanese black pine that he decandled in 2021.
00:00:38 This tree is in middle development and has some good taper in the trunk already, from 6 inches tapering down to 2.5-3 inches. Eric plans to remove the large sacrifice branch to further the tapering process and help heal a large scar that was created in 2019 from a large stub.
00:01:49 Pruning because Eric let the tree run this year. He will be removing some longer, larger branches to bring the tree back in and make the trunk look bigger. Eric will also remove the sacrifice branch for more distributed growth and to encourage lots of bud growth.
00:03:07 Eric discusses design decisions and overall tree health.
00:04:45 First branch cut back.
00:05:46 Second branch cut back because it has a too long and straight section, and cutting will improve branch taper.
00:07:23 Unhealthy looking branch and why Eric's not worried.
00:08:07 Pulling last years' needles from around the outside or bottom.
00:09:20 Looking at top and beginning formation or crown - removing sacrifice branch and stub.
00:12:16 Wiring to enable more decisions about branching.
00:14:18 Obvious cuts Eric needs to make and more wiring.
00:15:37 Rotating branch junctions for cleaner branch structure that's easier to maintain.
00:16:35 Bald spot - bending longest section of top branch down and back to create good crown foundation.
00:19:34 Rotate down and watch bark to limit splits. Additional wire added for stabilization.
00:21:33 Quick spin to see from all angles. Eric set the structure for the primary and secondary branches in the lower part of the tree and now the primary branches on top of tree, laying the foundation for the crown.
What experiences have you had working on field grown JBP? Let us know in the comments below! Thanks for watching; please like and share this video, and subscribe to our channel!

[@Bonsaify]

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[@fatstratcatdaddyo]

Badass tree, and excellent job teaching how and why each process is performed.

[@patriciatatich3014]

There is need for this type of discussion on the mid levels of progression in the design process. Very informative. Thank you.

[@raynorris135]

Excellent work Eric, that work on the crown sets the future as do the lower sections. Love this powerful pine

[@robertobreglia9224]

This is a beautiful black pine with a wonderful and powerful trunk! I think you did the best work with these branches,i very like this first styling and obviously the boxes will be filled with vegetation as well as the apex will take on that dome shape. Very compliments!👍👍👍

[@JasonSchmidt-1979]

I’m a pine nut and I’ve been watching you for a while. You do a good job clearly explaining principles and tasks; you have a new subscriber here! God bless

[@millyabrahams4977]

Beautiful future that tree has. Huge thanks for sharing your knowledge in such a clear and concise way.

[@MiguelTorres-ie7rs]

Thanks for all your black pine videos. Best and most informative videos on KZbin. Black pines are the most beautiful trees in bonsai but I would say the hardest to keep healthy. It’s not easy to find detail instructions on how to maintain and develop them thanks for that.

[@joeydupre6153]

Re: hiding big scars. I find most of my native deciduous material on the roadsides and normally they've been run over a couple of times by highway dept. mowers. That makes for some wicked scars. I've gotten pretty decent at hiding them by smoothing them to match the contour of the trunk, making jagged edges instead of smooth , rounded ones and then painting on a stain of ground charcoal and water. A few applications gradually stains the scar to match the bark. I'll paint on additional stripes to mimic the bark and after a couple of months, the scar is barely noticeable.

[@naturezaespetacular.]

Excelent, fantastic work on this tree!!!

[@davidreid622]

I love your content and it is so helpful. Never stop, it is much appreciated, thank you.

[@peterjohnson350]

Really well explained. Great looking tree.

[@hyperionhelios190]

Great video thank you Eric!

[@nightcoder5k]

Beautiful tree

[@litsnombre6390]

The result is beautiful, i like the curvy shape of the trunk....nice trunk movement

[@bonsaiexoticpets741]

Hello my friend beautiful bonsai pine thanks for tips and tutorials

[@raynorris135]

Good luck to you and Jonas at the Pacific Bonsai Expo Nov 11-13. Looks like a great time coming up

[@Bonsaify]

Just woke up from a 14-hour sleep. It's done! It was a great weekend, and I'm going to try to put together some video showing behind the scenes etc.

[@raynorris135]

@@Bonsaify you and Jonas need a well deserved rest after all the prep and s delivery. 👍

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Beefy!

[@bayareaspearoshorediver7535]

So you're allowed to cut back some branches around this time? Is it because the tree had slowed down? Can't wait for this weekend's show by the way!

[@jiijino_bonsai_ch]

素晴らしい👍👍👍

[@ricbethsbonsai638]

Great Job I like lt 👍👍👍👍

[@BonsaiLex]

Not understanding why the needles can’t land in the soil? Why can’t they just stay in the soil and decompose. Thanks, great video and informative.

[@Bonsaify]

No horticultural reason, you are right. I just prefer clean soil surface and it saves time later. Dried pine needles are pokey and annoying.

[@9daywonda]

Not too bad work hey.

[@djordjevolarevic3872]

Can you tell me how old this tree is? Btw, I really like your work and the way you explain everything in detail! Keep up the great work!

[@Bonsaify]

Probably about 20 years from seed. It was grown by Lone Pine gardens in Sebastopol, CA. I've had it for about 4 years now.

[@frankhalstead20]

I enjoy how far you look ahead, planning on decandling and the results that come of it. What is a good broad spectrum fungicide to use on pines. I have one of those branches on a pine,

[@Bonsaify]

For root pathogens (as mentioned in this video) - start with either Banrot, Subdue Maxx (cheapest) or Orkestra. A rotation will normally give better results. For needle problems I use Propiconazole (systemic) or copper (topical) or both in rotation.

[@frankhalstead20]

@@Bonsaify Thank you

[@cherylandrews3195]

Thanks for the video~ What soil is it in? and how do you know its a fungal infection and what do you use to treat it?

[@Bonsaify]

It's in a mix of pumice, akadama and lava. A lot of pumice though, probably a bit too much. The symptom that I showed is one that I've seen many times. We sent it to a lab for analysis and there was not fungal activity in the foliage itself, but there was Pythium ssp. in the soil. Pythium is an oomycete that causes root damage. They are not easy to get rid of, but you can control them with Subdue Maxx, Orkestra and similar chemicals. You can also do a lot of good by reducing water, repotting, and inoculating with beneficial soil microbiology.

[@DarthMasiah]

oooo, thick 😊

[@user-jd3oq9ly8h]

Bonjour, les grosses coupes vont elles cicatriser ?

[@estherlovesveges]

High 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

[@alessandromassimo5717]

i love pinus. pun intended

[@gregoryh4601]

Hello Sir very Nice JBP and how old is the Tree? Sir can you Help me on My JMT and when a good time to do the Work and where I can send some Photos? Greg. Of Ohio

[@Bonsaify]

I'd guess about 20 years old. It was field grown, then has been in a container for about 5 years so far. JMT....? Post the images to Instagram and tag us. @bonsaifyonline on IG.

[@gregoryh4601]

@@Bonsaify I can’t send you anything on Instagram yet.