Quote:
Originally Posted by Dav4
Your tree looks a bit stressed so I'd leave it alone this year other then water/fertilizer and increasing sun exposure. Definitely no more pruning of any sort. Next year, as the buds break, you will hopefully see a tree with more vigor that will tolerate more agressive pruning. As an aside, I'd leave the apex alone and use it as a sacrifice brance to thicken the trunk further...it doesn't appear to be shading out the buds you're hoping to save. Good luck, Dave
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Dave, you've pretty much outlined what I'm planning to do. It's getting some extra pampering, and this winter will get extra protection -- both because it
is stressed, and because a potted JBP is very marginally hardy here.
I may try air-layering one or two of the upper branches, rather than just taking them off eventually. I've never air-layered a pine before, but this seems a great opportunity to learn.