A regular update on the life and times of John Hanby’s Newstead Bonsai Centre……..
Topical Times – Dave’s two Japanese White Pines
There has been no let up in the classes during the summer months. There have been classes every weekend and also every other Wednesday.
Dave attends most of the Wednesday sessions and on a recent midweek class he brought along these two White Pines. Both of them are of the Pentaphylla variety, that is they are on their own roots and not grafted like most imported White Pines.
Both trees have continued to grow strongly and as a result have become very bushy….they have lost their shape. You can see quite clearly the difference in the before and after pictures of the first tree just by carrying out some selective pruning.
There is no wire on this tree. It can be rewired this winter between September and April. The other pine has it’s roots trained over a rock and is very impressive. This picture shows the bushy tree around the beginning of July, the canopy is becoming very box-like in shape.
The first picture above shows the tree after some general pruning and thinning out.The canopy is lighter and better formed with a wide arching crown suggesting maturity. The centre picture was taken more recently after the tree had been wired but prior to branch placement. The final picture shows the tree after the branches have been arranged.
Two pines in totally different styles but the same variety and both are of very good quality. Dave can be very proud of these two trees and he deserves much credit for their excellent condition.
Trees become victims of their own success….they grow really well…..become too bushy, lose their shape and inner buds/twigs often dieback. This just shows how a little timely intervention can make all the difference.