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Most bug garden centers, especially those who specialize in landscaping, will stock large container grown trees and shrubs. These can offer tremendous potential and are surprisingly, rather easier to work on than you may think at first

Scots pine has a compact growth pattern, readily throws out buds on old wood and naturally produces very small needles. Other similar varieties are Beauvronensis and Water/i. Steer clear of varieties which have long needles and coarse growth.

Although Japanese pine bonsai are grown in many styles: literati, cascade, driftwood etc., the vast majority of commercial trees seem to he stocky, thick-trunked informal of formal uprights. These still triangular shapes are more reminiscent of young pine trees. In the west. If you look at the pines in your neighborhood you will discover they have a style all of their own, approaching literati sometimes, but relatively straight-trunked with cascading branches.

This sort of operation can be carried out any time between early summer, when new needles are hardening off, and early autumn. If you try this too late in the year the tiny wounds caused by severe bending of the branches will not have time to seal themselves against winter frosts and die-back may result.

You don’t have to complete a task like this in one sitting, take several weeks over it if you like. In fact the trees will thank you if you do since a staged operation is less traumatic. Having completed the styling exercise wait until the following year before you repot. If by then the tree still seems weak wait another year. Check the wire regularly and replace it when it becomes too tight, coiling it in the opposite direction.