Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Pruning

An bonsai development exercise in spring pruning and cleaning of a Japanese Black Pine. The tree is also extensively wired at the end of the exercise.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• bonsai
• bonsai tree
• bonsai care
• bonsai pruning
• bonsai shaping
• japanese black pine
• japanese black pine bonsai

[combustiongonewrong]

in your opinion is it better to completely remove long candles

[chasnsx]

Yes, and that opinion is based on sixteen years of working on Black Pines. Leaving part of a long candle makes for ugly, uneven growth. The only time to leave a long candle is if you are trying to extend a branch, and you are okay with secondary growth at the points where needles appear on the long candle.

[yamins81]

@chasnsx Thank you for your wonderful videos, I really appreciate them.

I just purchased three black pine pre-bonsai at a local nursery (You can see them at dybonsai[dot]wordpress[dot]com­.) As rank beginner, I'm pretty confused about how and when to start candling and directing growth. I live on Long Island, near NYC, and don't know of a local bonsai club. Do you recommend a good book or other source on black pine pruning and training with fairly detailed info to help me get started?

[chasnsx]

@yamins81 Stone Lantern Publishing has the definitive book on the Japanese Black Pine. Just go to their website, go to the book section, and it should be an easy find.

[kaige50]

Good job once again, Charles.

JBP.....my favorite. more, please!

[chasnsx]

I have three or more pines to work on this spring, including a follow up on the one I dug out of my growing bed in January. That tree is just starting to come out of dormancy but is not budding strongly due to the lack of fine roots.

[deniseduarte57]

nice clip .. i like it .. thanks for sharing

[Skeletor4ever]

I've seen some pine bonsai with very short needles. There is one on your website that has really short needles. Did you trim them down, or is that just normal growth?

[BrandXsps]

How do you get the candles to face upwards. Is that the natural growth habit or are they wired into that position?

[Juggerknot420]

I tried to transplant a pine tree but it died 3: I feel really bad. Has anyone els felt bad for killing a tree?

[yamins81]

@chasnsx Thanks for the rec -- as it turns out I ordered that very book just after writing to you. Looking forward to seeing your next videos! Dan

[pinkfloydeffect]

I see girdling roots!

[redsnake93]

great vid! keep up the good work