I have been considering selling this black pine for a while now.  Not that it is a bad tree, but that it is not very big and is kind of a so-so tree.  However the other day I noticed that it may be better if I change it to a semi cascade. 

Once I turned the pot I was amazed how much more interesting this tree could be! I already know that I want to put it in a beautiful (and expensive) crescent bonsai pot, but now I need to figure out which way it needs to be tilted

To the right the bottom branches would have to be removed completely.

To the left (my preferred side) the branching becomes more difficult. I guess I just need to look at the trunkline and pretty much develop this tree all over again. In any case it will be repotted this coming Winter. I can’t wait!

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During the summer months there is a lot of talk about candles, especially since my Wife and I both have our birthdays in July.  However Black Pines also have candles, and every Father’s Day it is time to remove the candles that grow during the year to keep the trees dense and full.  However most people see where and when to cut candles, but I wanted to show WHY you cut them.

Two weeks ago I removed the candles from two of my trees. Since the candles are able to grow for about 5 months they grow to about 4 inches in length, and if left alone will in turn leave you with needles that are 4 inches. So by cutting the candles the tree only has three months left to grow new candles for the year. Shorter candles mean shorter needles.

So after the two weeks the new candles are already popping out. As you can see they come out in sets of three so you will want to remove 1 or 2 of them. In most cases the strongest ones are removed.

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As Winter comes, so does the time to thin the needles on the Black Pines.  I must admit this is not a process that I enjoy and generally I put it off as long as I can.  However it prepares the tree for the new years growth so the efforts really pay off in the Spring.  What better way to prepare for 2010′s growth than thinning the needles on New Year’s Eve?

Black Pine full of needles

I’ve had the black pine for a couple of years now, and it is doing pretty well.  My needles are showing a bit of yellowing, but nothing too much to be concerned about.  Overall a pretty easy tree to care for. 

Close up of full canopy

You can see that the growth on the pine is very full.  Black Pines like to top grow, so all these needles will block out the light needed for the lower branches. 

Black Pine after needles are thinned out

You can see how much thinning the needles opens up the tree to more light.  It could use further thinning, but that will do for today.  Leave lower branches with more needles than on top so that these branches remain strong. 

Close up of thinned branches

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