Red pine style pruning

I have just got a large red pine, (trunk is about 8cm, 3"). I can visualise the finished plant, but it involves removing about 80% of the foliage and some major branches. I have read that they don't like heavy pruning, any suggestions?

Hi Rod

I would be hesitant to remove that much foliage in one hit also myself as I have struggled with them in the past doing so,I personally find them soft compared to black pine,and when doing root work or removing anything on pine I always do it in the dead of winter in the last two weeks of July.

Go steady mate and they definitely do not like wet feet in my experience or inexperience,basically given up on them.

Hope some of that helps and not dampens you.

cheers Anthony

Hi Anthony

I agree with your comment that they don't like wet feet, I had one growing for 3 years like it was on "diabolic steroids" and then I got a little over enthusiastic with the watering during a particularly hot spell and managed to drown the tree in its own pot so I would recommend to anyone that they keep a very close eye on the watering.

Cheers
MrBadhair

Hi Rod, looks like great stock.

It's a little late now to do such heavy pruning on pines, it should have already put out its buds by now.

If you're worried I'd cut back 1/3 each year and back bud prune. Remembering to keep a decent amount of needles wherever you cut back to.

But for me, I'd wait until summer when the heat is up to do a heavy prune, cut back hard but make sure there's a strong root ball and needles wherever you cut back to. You should see strong needle clusters coming out and backbudding around this time if you're in Syd.

Cheers,
James

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Thanks everyone, guess I'll have to be patient (time is a bonsai tragic' friend?), bit by bit, I guess. When would you root prune to keep it in balance?

Just finished the weekend workshop at Bonsai by the Beach. Worked on the red pine with Clinton Nesci. Most impressed with Clinton and very happy with the styling. Meanwhile, Apuleius of km's of wire later .................

Hi Rod

Looks great in the flesh as per usual, even though the photography is first class it still doesn't do it justice.

JC

Great approach, couple of seasons to develop then you would say "I want". Great work Clinton this pine is shinning with you.
Yours sincerely.
Leong.

What a beautiful tree. I see a few instances where adhering to the 'bonsai rule book' would have resulted in a much less interesting/effective design. It will be gorgeous in a few years.