Nebari

Pinus Parviflora

Hi - I find the way those two roots have grown parallel to each other is more interesting than they would be if just awkward/unattractive and more usual ones, and I might leave them as a feature... but part of the appeal is that they've created a large base (does everything have to only be about the trunk itself :-)? ) and seeing that bottom branch coming straight towards us gave me the idea of chopping the entire tree away and just letting that one branch develop as the new 'tree', hopefully one that branches on its own, and gives the nebari some serious importance. How radical (or weird?) does that seem? The older I get, the less I seem to care about rules!

I don't think it'll matter much to remove buds now, but why not wait til March, etc. to see what's still viable then in case you want more and not all are good. I'm more concerned about the pot size... guess it's ok now (you'd know best having seen the roots), but if you let the whole thing grow vs chopping, I might consider a rectangle vs just the square, to give them a little reaching room, or are you dedicated to a cascade?

I'd remove any branches growing directly opposite each other, keeping in mind that if you want a well rounded (literally) tree vs windswept, keep something in back and sides, if shortened, for balance. But it's still early and you have lots of future time to make those choices.

This post was edited by moochinka on Fri, Oct 24, 14 at 23:34

Thanks for the reply m'chinka

I also am one to break the rules. Chopping the entire tree save that one branch is a little to radical for me. I do like that idea and see where you are coming from, but I think not for this tree at this time.
I should have given you some better pics. the bottom whirl has 5 branches all at the same level. Obviously some have to go. The trunk then has some movement up to that second swirl, where again I have 4 or 5 branches to chose from, The trunk then continues up on the same angle to the chop. I have 2 leaders up there to develope.
I'm glad you like the nebari as is.I liked it also but was not confident in my own judgement. I will develope as is and see what happens.

Yes that pot will go! You really don't see the worst of it. It is about 10" deep. Way to heavy for this tree. I received the tree in a large 25 gallon nursery pot. I pruned more than 1/3 of the root mass and it still barely fit it the pot. Will have to live with it for now. I probably won't re-pot and root prune for another year.

Good point about pinching.Winter is coming.Best to wait and see what mother nature throws at my little tree.

I think the roots give it character but the needles just seem a little brown. Can't think what that's from unless it's the soil it's in or the pot isn't holding enough water maybe.

Just shedding some old needles.Also the one little cluster at the top I trimmed the new growth. Pines always brown if you cut the needles. Needle reduction should be done by pinching and producing second growth buds.Tree although a little sparse has buds set for next spring. Will look better next growing season.
That soil does contain some peat along with the bark and grit so it does stay moist longer than some of my other mixes.