You can absolutely control the size of it. However, it takes both effort and talent. Pinus parviflora is one of the key bonsai species and lends itself to pruning. The real question is whether you want to sign on for a lifetime of taking care of this thing. I wouldn't, and I know how to prune it. It's a lot of work and since you can find other cultivars that are more suited to the site, I would chalk this up to experience, take it out and go find a plant that fits the site better. If you want to learn about the kind of pruning to keep it small, Google 'aesthetic pruning'. Right now this discipline (which has a trade association and a certification) is mostly practiced in CA but there are folks in Philadelphia and Chicago, I believe. I can't remember where you are.

Ok so its possible to keep a 40 feet tree to a 10 feet? Also I'm not really worried about aesthetics right now but I'm more worried about size controlling, or are they the same thing when it comes to pruning?

Well....size control is practical and doesn't take aesthetics into account. Should you attempt to do this, you will have to learn pruning basics, and what you're looking for is Niwaki more or less, which is the application of bonsai techniques to the landscape (loose translation - someone will correct me). Start Googling and learning about what is involved. Once you understand pruning basics, you then apply them to your specific tree and your goals, and prune for shape (aesthetics). This tree is going to be reasonably forgiving; not as forgiving as the Thunderhead, but much better than some others.

Ah alright. Good to hear that.

Btw, do you know if this Japanese white pine is a 'glauca' or a 'glauca nana'? I'm wondering because I see 2 long side branches extending and I thought 'glauca nana' was a bit more upright. I'm pretty sure the label said 'glauca nana' but I just can't seem to remember it clearly.

Thanks I'll take a look at that. Now I have another question. Would it be possible if I grow this tree in a large pot for several years? Glauca nana is supposed to mature to only 10 feet. So I want to see if this pine will go over 10 feet and if it does, then that way I know its not a glauca nana but is a glauca. And after finding out, I will replant this in the ground. How does that sound?

You can grow it in a pot. Once again, labor and knowledge are involved (are you SURE you don't want to do bonsai?) That's partly what you are talking about. You will keep the plant small by pruning its roots and limbs. If you are going to sign on for a lot of work, make sure that you really like this plant!

Well coming from a Japanese ancestry, I would love to do bonsai but I feel like that just takes up too much time and effort. I just graduated college and I am currently interning but thats not a permanent job so I am in search for a lot full time jobs now. And once I get a job, I know I won't be having enough time for any of that especially since I am just starting. And I already have enough with handling other trees/shrubs/perennials/pond in my garden!

But wait, this tree came in burlap form which means it was dug out from the ground at one point. Can I still grow a burlapped tree in a pot?

Yes, but you have to cut off the burlap (and any twine or wire). Google 'how to plant a balled and burlapped tree' and go from there.

look at any given seasons growth.. on many plants.. trees .. conifers ... the bark changes yearly as it matures ....

start with a long branch ... at trunk ... trace it out.. can you tell where that years growth stopped .... then grew on the next season ...

every tree is standing evidence of its history.. learn to read it ...

as to the leader ... this years growth is covered in needles ... last years have less needles.. the next year back.. is probably bare ... so you should see 3 years growth.. subject to whatever it went thru to get to your house ...

i didnt read all the above.. do you have a spot to move it to ... or do you want to learn to prune ... removal is always an option.. in say.. 10 years ... if you screw it up bad ...

if you can move it.. do so .. ken

Well I actually changed my mind and decided to transplant in the ground. The area is 7 feet away from the foundation and I hope this tree will be ok that close. I just really hope it's not a glauca and hope it's a glauca nana since they only grow to be 10 feet. So I will plant the tree there and if they get taller than 10 feet(which means it is a glauca) I am taking it out. I don't know how though.. I have petasites around it and if I completly remove the tree then I would be disturbing the petasites' root system too and I don't want that. Can I just saw the tree to the ground if anything?

Don't worry about the Petasites,,,MAN it's had to stop that stuff

soil moisture for butter burr and pines are not compatible , by the way

ron

Actually I once again changed my mind and decided to pot this thing up. I'm going to post another thread regarding potting pines so if any of you can help me out with this that'd be great. Btw my petasites are in full sun and most of them have collapsed by now from the summer heat. They looked beautiful in the spring tho