CLUB MEETING JUN 9

The instructional topic for the June meeting was candle pruning. The young new growth of pines are called candles. Generally these candles can be pruned twice a year. Usually in the spring, and again in the fall. Cutting the candles at there base will force the tree to put out new candles which will sprout at the base of the previous years needles. This pruning will help to form smaller and more dense needles. The fall pruning candles are usually cut one third to half way down the candle. The pine trees below are all Japanese Black Pines.



This pine is in a large nursery container which helps it to matune faster. You can see some of the candles that have been removed.



Here in another nursery container pine. It has a fairly nice root structure already, and the pruning is almost complete.






This cascade style pine has a nice root structure with heavy radiating roots. The top half of the trunk has been stripped of all branches and is being formed as a JIN. The bark will be striped for this part of the treed and will be made to look as tough the tree had been struck by lighting or heavy winds. This makes the tree appear old and weathered.




Jeff brought in one of his Kingsford Boxwoods to work on. They have very small leaves and make terrific miniture bonsais. They are very slow growing, and not easy to find.

Here is a close up of the kingsford boxwood.