Wow! That's quite a tree, and thanks for the link in that thread to my article!Gnome wrote:Chris,
Thanks for stopping by and considering Joe's question. Here is a link to a previous thread concerning the same tree (I believe).
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5999
For those of you who do not know of Chris his website [url=https://www.bonsaikc.com/index.htm]Sashi-eda Bonsai[/url] may be of interest.
Norm
I don't think it's the tree you think it is, however. This tree is an example of a great base with nothing else really going for it. It will never bud back, the wood is too old. So you are left with a choice.
You can either settle for a very tall, leggy tree, and style it this way. I am certain those branches are pretty hard and brittle by now, which will make them hard to bend.
Or you can graft this tree to make it a much smaller tree using the fantastic base and taper. Here's what I mean:
[img]https://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/bonsaikc/pinefronteditgrafts.jpg[/img]
becomes this
[img]https://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/bonsaikc/pinefrontedit.jpg[/img]
given proper technique and some time. It's a little advanced but you could do it with some practice on cheap JBP pine stock.
Your first job is to get it very healthy, and that will require good root work, repotting, and proper bonsai soil.
[url]https://www.bonsaikc.com/repotting_established.htm[/url]
[url]https://www.bonsaikc.com/bonsai_soil.htm[/url]
[url]https://www.bonsaikc.com/grafting1.htm[/url]
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