anttal63

go bombers start the season!!!
matt if you happy good for you .

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Antonio......
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Pup

G,day Matt again the last one on the right, looked like yours 20 years ago it has always been in a Bonsai pot. It has a lot of sentimental value. One of my first efforts. Ernie liked it. Almost gave it a merit award in 2001 was not sure of the front which I have since changed. Pup

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G, day I live in western Australia I have been trying for the last 20+ years with some success to grow Bonsai. I am a perpetual learner and an advanced beginner

Mattbonsai

Pup, it does look a bit like the Pinus pinea, cheers for the help.

Does anyone like the tree?

The aim of bonsai is to create a tree which has a history, is it not? if it looks like a tree that has been hit by a truck, is that not history? the history I would say for this tree is it was growing as an upright, got hit by lightening, side branch took over, that got hit by lighting, or a storm / disease took the growing tip out causing the tree to grow from another side branch, (hence the first radical bend) the second bend is caused by the same, or the tree carried on growing at a slant, then started growing upwards from a whorl of branches and so on so forth.

The small branch which comes off to the left will by raised up and inserted into a shallow groove which will be carved from the main stem, this will be allowed to grow for a few years then jinned.
The small branch that comes off near the base at the back will be left, as If I decide that I hate it, then the bent branch will be removed completely, and this little one can be used as a new leader.

I have seen pines that naturally have right angle bends in them, when I go to Tatton park this year I will take photos.

Cheers Pup and Antonio for the non Patronising comments, help in identifying the tree, and for giving ideas of improving the tree.

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Prowler

If i am not mistaken does not a stone pine take many years to grow?
Matt i liked yours a lot, all i can say is, you could have chopped the bottom branch and concentrated on what was left.
Most pics i have seen of them in the wild look twisted old gnarly things, much the same as me !!
So once you reach pension age give my wife a shout, she will send my one down to you.

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Its hell out there, give them hell back.

Pup

G,day Matt and Prowler. I have just consulted with, C,R, Harrison ornamental Conifers. He claims that the Pinus pinea ( umbrella pine Italian stone pine ) is the one they use commercially for pine nuts like us. Has the potential to grow to 25 metres ( 80 feet ) in seventy odd years . The mature needles take over after three years, but can be kept away so the bluish juvenile foliage is kept . By restricting the roots in a tub and pruning away the green needles. Under normal growing conditions the adult green foliage takes over in the third year when it reaches about 2 metres (6ft 7 inches ) in height. So if you have long term plans for this tree there you are. Pup

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G, day I live in western Australia I have been trying for the last 20+ years with some success to grow Bonsai. I am a perpetual learner and an advanced beginner