A short cautionary tale with a black pine early in its development as bonsai.
It’s difficult to see what’s going on with this twisted trunk black pine. My only concern for today is a small branch growing at the soil level, and whether I should go ahead and remove it in advance of the spring push of growth. In the image above, my index finger is touching the base of the branch. And here’s another view from a different angle to show just how close to the soil level it is.
In fact, the branch is resting on the soil. I was reaching for a cutting tool when I realized I should not cut quite yet. This tree is very early in development and we can’t even see the base of the tree here. So rather than reaching for a cutting tool, I grabbed a chop stick to pull soil away from the trunk and investigate just how far below the soil surface the root flare is. In other words, I was digging to find the future base and nebari of this tree.
I found the root mass didn’t start until an inch or more below the soil surface. This changes everything! With this discovery, the branch in question (which I am pointing to with the chopstick, above) is in fact in an excellent position to serve as a first branch in a small, shohin size bonsai.
I don’t know, yet, what this tree will become, but for today, that branch stays. Our lesson, then is a twist of the advice related to what you should do before digging in your yard to avoid damaging utilities. You know the one… “Call before you dig.”
In this case it’s, “Dig before you make the call!”
Bonsai Iterate 
Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.
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