First time wiring a bushy White Pine ... almost:)

I have never fully wired a large pine before...until today. I bought this pine from Julian Adams. I liked the penjing feel to it instantly. Many others probably passed it by. I saw it last year then bought it this year. It is probably 15 years old and flaky bark covers the base, and the top loop. Other bark-areas along the trunk length are starting to split. I figured that I could wire this tree in about 6 hours. I discovered that there was a lot more to it than I thought. I realize that I could have pruned away many branches, but I wasn't sure what I needed. So I attempted to wire everything. I probably have 90% wired. Then darkness fell upon me. My back ached and my feet were tired . I entertained the thought of repotting it today too. The best laid plans ...

This is the tree as I bought it with a couple of ties I put on; then I remembered to get the camera.


I started wiring at 8:30 this morning. I started with the bottom branches. I took a lunch break at 12:30. I came back at 1:30 and started to wire some more. I think I have a front selected.


The base


The loop at the top


The back of the tree


Another front picture


I have not positioned any of the top yet; just wired.

My next big concern is repotting. This tree hasn't been repotted in 6-7 years and it needs it. I have a larger training pot for it. I wonder how much root I can safely remove? Any suggestions on how to proceed? I am figuring to get the outer half of the root ball untangled and then plant it with good soil. Then next year I will repot it again and get the rest of the old soil off. Then I won't repot for a few years so it can recover and grow.
Or, should I remove all of the soil and just do a full repot?

Any suggestions are welcome. I appreciate your help. I have a new profound respect for wiring a large tree. This tree stands approx 24 inches from the base of the pot. It is approx 18 inches at the widest. The white container is a 10 inch bulb pot.

And my "Kilmarnark" Pussy Willow just pulled from the mulch to enjoy the "pussy fluffs"


Best,
Todd

I bought one of Julian's Zuisho air layers in 2009. Last spring it was potted in an oversize bonsai pot. I wanted to repot it in a Dale Cochoy pot this year, but the experts told me in no uncertain terms to let it recover & repot it next year.
Iris

I have not positioned any of the top yet; just wired.
My next big concern is repotting. This tree hasn't been repotted in 6-7 years and it needs it. I have a larger training pot for it. I wonder how much root I can safely remove? Any suggestions on how to proceed? I am figuring to get the outer half of the root ball untangled and then plant it with good soil. Then next year I will repot it again and get the rest of the old soil off. Then I won't repot for a few years so it can recover and grow.
Or, should I remove all of the soil and just do a full repot?
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Hello Todd,
It is a young pine tree that is just completely wired, i would go for next year repotting and root work,
but without root disturbance you can replace it in to the bigger training pot.(maybe a bit root loosening on the outside)
Take care that the new pot is not much bigger.
regards, Sunip

Hi Todd.

what's the design plan for the pine? I can partially see a literati. though the loop end seems to be too far down.

regards,
jun

I will save the root work until next year per the advice of Iris and Sunip. Iris, I remember your post about your Zushio. My training pot is not much larger than the root ball. The soil will be a baked clay (Turface) soil mixture.

The design? Jun, there are no branches on the trunk until the top part of the loop. All of the branches are on the "S" part of the trunk. So, this tree will be a Penjing type tree; unusual and just admired for its character - like a written "Chinese" character. It will have defined foliage pads; something for me to practice the wiring and styling.
Another option could be to approach-graft roots to the loop to create a cascade tree. That would take a while. I like the unique shape now. I could also approach graft branches to the straight trunk which would give me "two trees in one".

I could also see this tree planted with a nice vertical stone. Lots of options!

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions.