Ml_work

A friend gave me 2 small pines that he had received at Christmas. They were decorated as a Christmas Tree for the season. He was about to throw them out, so I got them to work with. Put in small pot with bonsai soil. Many needles turned brown and feel off, thought they were gone. I cut the rest of the brown needles as it seemed I had nothing to loose. they have come back and have new green growth. they are about 4" tall and trunk is just a little bit larger than a pencil. I have seen and read about pulling the needles off the trunk in between the branches and cutting the needles on the underside of the limbs. Will this stress the tree? Should it be done in winter?

Thanks,
ML

Dav4

Pulling/cutting needles (which procedure is appropriate depends on the pine species) is a technique used to balance vigor and induce back budding on a tree that has been in training for some time. It is similar to defoliating a deciduous tree in that it is a stressor, and reduces overall vigor and growth. At this stage of the game, I wouldn't worry about needle plucking. Rather, focus on keeping the trees healthy.

Dave

noissee

do the needles grow in pairs of two? or 5?

Prowler

You have to remember pines don't like inside, a couple of days okay, then out they go.
With lights and heat in the house and i presume not watered? also the long time they were there over Xmas, you are lucky you still have needles on them..
If they have recovered i would leave them alone. Cheers.

__________________
Its hell out there, give them hell back.

Ml_work

Dave,
Thanks for the info. I kinda knew it would not be healthy for them. I had purchased a couple of pines from a bonsai site, they are very small but have been pruned to appear as if they are older. By removing the needles between the limbs, they have a "shaped" appearance. It was just a fun idea, but I will not pursue it as I want the trees to live. I do have plans to harvest "many" small pines from a local cow pasture if I can get permission, the trees will be trampled and never grow were they are. At that time I can test some different ideas with ease.

Noissee
I just went outside and looked at them. It is hard to tell, most are just 1 needle coming out. the new grow is small with many needles at this time. You have a good point, I was in the mind set that they were like pines from around here. Actually they had them shipped in, I think it had a card with it, I will try to locate. I do know it is not the LongIsland/NorthFork Pine.

Prowler
I too was surprised, they had been in the small paper pot, no drain hole, for over 2 months when I got them. They were in good shape, the re-potting is when they started Turing brown.

Thanks for the Help!
ML

Egroup

Look at the mature pines int he field to see what to expect from your seedlings you plan to "harvest. If the "parents" have short needles, you might have some good ones to work with.

Do you have any pics of your former Christmas trees that you already are working on?

Ml_work

Egroup,
All the pines around here have long needles. The ones in the field are appealing because from what I can tell they are short and thick growth.
All the pictures that I have been taking of my trees to keep record of growth are in too high quality to upload. I will have to take a couple of the pines in the lower resolution in order to upload. I don't see anyone else uploading many pictures, so I have tried not too as I do not want to bore people with my little trees.
Have A Great Day!
ML

Ml_work

Egroup,
This is a picture of both the Christmas pines. When I got them it was cold outside, I know Pines can take it but these had been inside for 2-3 months, so I kept them in for awhile. The limbs had started to curl up on the ends. You can see where I cut them back. Also the bottom of both has turned to the darker green (I feel that is a good sign) and if you look close on the right side of the one on the right you will see the new buds, they are a different green. Once you find that one you can pick the rest out, as both have many. no the pots are not bonsai pots, they are wal-mart close out from last year at .45 cents each. They have depth and a large drain, which has air flow as I do not place them on a flat solid surface. Thoughts and suggestions welcome.
ML

Attached Images

4-29-08 Christmas Tree Pines.jpg (35.9 KB, 30 views)

Bonsai Barry

I think these might be stone pine. I would probably remove more of the branches near the bottom of the tree.

Ml_work

Barry,
I am trying to locate the card that was with them. I put it up with the rest of the stuff that I can't remember where I put it. At some point it will show up with the rest of my important documents, such as 8 Track Tape Manuals...
I would think cutting limbs at this time would not be a good idea since they have just been repotted...?
Thanks for the info,
Have A Great Day!
ML