Ideas for an Old, Curvy Ponderosa

Thanks to a recent birthday, I have become the proud owner of this old, twisted Ponderosa. I always like to have an idea of where a tree is headed so I know how to prune, what angle to sit the tree at, etc. However, for this tree I have not come up with a satisfactory idea yet, especially given the twisted dead branch on one side of the tree. I thought I'd turn it over to the brilliant boffins of IBC. I would really appreciate any ideas/virtuals you might have.

Thank you!

-Mike

Hi Mike,

real nice material! This tree has many ways to go. Personally I like something like this:





But then, I also like the "back" of the pine as potential front.

Best,
dorothy

Hi Mike,

That's a very nice Ponderosa you've got. Beautiful trunk movement.
@ Dorothy : Love your Virtuals, Dorothy. This is another beautiful one.

Go for it, Mike.

Regards,

Faisal

Great tree and great virtual by Dorothy. Front or back looks good. I imagine that a "wrapping, wiring, and bending" workshop is in your future!
Best, Todd

I have to agree that Dorothy's virtual, as always, really captures the tree's beauty. Todd, I definitely see a fall workshop in my future!

The virtual is outstanding - but the concern should be that without knowing how deep the roots go and why it is in such a deep nursery can - it makes the shallow rectangle uncertain. I am pretty sure I know who collected the tree - so you have great piece of Ponderosa material to work with. You really shouldn't plan too far ahead with a piece of material like this - you have to wait anyways - so don't get too locked into one approach. Even working on the deadwood, cleaning, wire brush, some carving - could be trouble - because you will cause twist and force onto the root masss that is trying to establish itself in the pumice mix. The tips of the roots will turn white and start to extend soon - they may be starting now. They are about the thickness of normal sphagetti pasta [thicker than angel hair pasta !]. They are fragile at the ends - it takes very little force to snap them off.

You really just want the tree to grow this season and get stronger; watch the buds and wait for late April into early May and you should see the candles extend and start to differentiate - this tells you that your tree is alive and growing. Look for a back issue of International Bonsai - with a Ponderosa Pine article by Walter Pall ; 2003 - Issue No. 4 - this will give you a good background and approach to care, feeding and development. Good Luck...Tom.

Thanks for the advice Tom. I've learned to be excessively conservative when it comes to shaping conifers. This tree has large buds swelling on the branch tips and great bud development along the inner parts of the branches as well. That said, spring and summer will just be watering, feeding, and watching to see how it responds. Nonetheless, it's much more enjoyable to stare at a tree and have an image in your head of its future than to stare at it and wonder "what the heck am I gonna do with that?"

Glad you guys like the virt, thanks! Keep us posted with the development, Mike. Here's the back, couldn't resist :

Hi Mike,
very nice material.

Dorothy's last Virt using the back is much better I think. More dramatic and powerful than the first one.

lucky you.


regards,
jun

Jun,

Are you saying you like the branch placement better or you like the large jin as the front?

When I saw your last couple of pictures I thought they were the most interesting. I'm so glad Dorothy did one of her wonderful virtuals for it. It is my favorite too, for what it's worth.

R

Hi Mike
Potential here.
I hope the actual nerbari will support the virtuals.
I am still wondering how to avoid to much revers taper, maybe turning the tree a bit?
regards, Sunip

Nice tree that I will keep an eye on.

Wow, Dorothy. Quite a knack for seeing the tree or trees within the tree and helping others to see as well. I'm seriously impressed.

Hi Mbolos. You have a realy great Pine.

And the virtuals from Dorothy are amazing.
I would go in the direction of the second virtual (the back). Its simply stuninng.

regards, roland

Dorothy you are a realy artist , your virtuals is amazing , probably i need your help in the near future
Great tree by the way

Best regards Lazaros.

Mike,

Any update on this one??

I made most of the necessary bends last year (the photo shows the rough result). That said, I felt like having a go at grafting, so applied two JBP grafts this spring. Everything's growing well, so we'll see in another year or so whether they take.

Hey Mike, I just grafted some Scotts Pine to my Ponderosa. I'm interested in which method you used. Also some of your observations.

This is going to be awesome when it has developed.


Hope the move went well,

-Joe