Pruning Austrian pine, please advise.
19 years ago
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Comments (10)
- 19 years ago
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shaping pines in japanese landscape
Comments (24)as usually with this forum it tends to go SERIOUSLY off-topic... as with shaping pines...there's usually an initial crook near the ground...create if you want your first S there or just tilt the tree, and cut the leader then promote a secondary leader with plenty of tertiary branches, as the new leader. And keep promoting until you get an S-like or thunder bolt asymmetric zig-zag. Tie it down with wire tied to stakes. THIS IS JUST THE TRUNK. black pine is masculine, so envision the branches as a muscle builder, more upright S with more of a horizontal branches. white pine is feminine, more of a curvy S, then envision the branches as a dancers arms...sort of coming horinzontally out then softly downward where the branches fan out horizontally (this is were you would wire them with maybe solid core battery wires) holding a plate of needle clouds. One thing too...don't poodle the pine...think clouds....See Morepine needles as mulch?
Comments (14)Wow! So much advice... Thanks. Actually, I was going to take the lazy route and just pile the needles on top of wintering plants in a mound as a buffer against the cold. I used to live in New England I used to do this with a lot of success with some of my more tender plants, or when we had a winter without a lot of snow (which is very insulating). I don't know what kind of pine tree mine is (was) -- it is very long needled and probably 20-25ft tall -- definitely something that a previous owner planted rather than a native since I am in town and I suspect that most of the trees were planted back in the early 60's when the house was built. There's an elm, a redbud, a pecan, what I think is some kind of mesquite, a crape myrtle, and a juniper. Of all these the redbud is the healthiest --the pecan loses branches fairly often from those borer things that make branches fall off looking like they've been gnawed by teeny tiny beavers, the very tall crape myrtle gets the "drips" in the summer and is way too tall to spray it myself (this year I am going to cough up the money to have it pruned way back, although I like the natural look much better). My juniper is very tall but of course the lower and inner branches have a LOT of ball moss. Sigh. And the pecan took a hit this year from laden-down pecan-filled branches from all that rain we had. I am so fortunate to have all these trees in a pretty small yard and I really think I need to invest some money in getting them pruned by an arborist (but it's soooooo expensive for someone who really knows what they're doing). It's so hard to keep up with all this when working full time and having so many other "creatures" that need care, but I guess all of you know about that!...See MoreNeed help identifying tree and pruning advice
Comments (18)I agree with Logan that a Norway Spruce would be more attractive...in about 15 years. Then a few years down the road it would outgrow the spot. It's not what I would have put in that spot...but that is always the dilemma. The trees the previous owners planted may not be what you would have chosen, but age and size give them a majesty that nothing you plant will have for a couple decades at least. If everyone gets rid of the older trees that aren't perfect as soon as they move in, then a few years later sells the place to someone who does the same thing, you are left with nothing but twee shrubs. (And I *HATE* shrubs). If you wanted to limb the tree up to let in more light I might be with you, but I don't think it will make maintenance easier. Are bark beetles, wind, ice storms, or really big snow loads a problem in your area? If so, limbing the tree up could put it's health in danger. Otherwise it is an aesthetic choice. (Red and Austrian pine are vulnerable to bark beetles that can be attracted to pruning injuries, having lower branches that go to the ground can help a tree support the weight of snow, both regional problems.)...See MoreWhite washing knotty pine walls and high beam ceiling
Comments (25)Hmmm...I have an idea. Never tried before, so please do a sample board. Disclaimer, may fail, too. Ok.... So, since whitewashed knotty pine has a tendency to come out pink, maybe using the opposite of the color wheel to counteract the pink would help. Adding the opposite color into the 1st coat of wash, then a 2nd thicker coat of white wash on top. I use this opposite color application a lot in watercolors to tone colors in my paintings which is similar process in whitewashing. Please note again, it is a concept. Please do a sample board 1st. My process before doing walls for clients.. I get 2-3 sample boards to experiment with to test the products & application before going into doing a whole wall. I highly suggest practicing on samples until application works. Then test it on actual wall, let it all dry. see it in daylight & night lights. Once it passes all the tests to client's liking, then go for it full force in confidence. It's a lot of extra steps & precautions, however a lot less unforseen problems later. Hope that helps. Whatever ends up working, would appreciate seeing. Please post after photos. Good luck!...See More- 19 years ago
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