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Hi everyone, i'm back to bonsai after a failed half attempt a few years ago with a shop purchased "indoor" bonsai. I am new to this forum though and I'm looking for some advice. I have some very young scots pines that are around the 25 to 30cm mark that I am hoping to train. I have four at them moment hoping they will all live through my learning curve.

As I say they are 25 to 30 cm, two of them have branched around 3 inches up, and the other two have none. Neither of the two with branches have any higher up, just around 8 to 10 inches of trunk. My question is, how do I encourage branches to grow higher up? If that is at all possible. Would pruning the lower branches encourage new growth that would potentially be higher up. Obviously the pruning would only take place at the correct time of year. Also would you begin to wire for you desired trunk style and this early age when the trunk is still very pliable?

Thanks in advance

Owain_Pines wrote: My question is, how do I encourage branches to grow higher up?

To me that sounds like the wrong question. My question would be: how do I encourage branches lower down to grow. It's what I'm doing with my 2 yo pine seedlings: let the lower branches grow. They may become new tops in the future or they will be used as sacrifice branch.

would you begin to wire for you desired trunk style and this early age when the trunk is still very pliable?

Yep. When they're no longer green and soft and strong enough. Careful though... you can damage 'm easily.

Great thanks, I was concerned about the distance from the branches to the top of the tree, thinking that in order to get them as top branches some considerable pruning of the top of the trunk would be needed over the years.

At the moment, there is a "crown" of needles at the top, would this need to be completely removed periodically to keep it at the desired height?

Owain_Pines wrote: there is a "crown" of needles at the top, would this need to be completely removed periodically to keep it at the desired height?

Or: you have no idea what you're doing.
There is a lot of information available about pines - more than I can repeat here. Start searching and learning - before you start removing anything.

Owain,

I suggest you put in good well draining soil and full sun. Feed well and let them grow next season.

I'm having a hard time visualizing your branching situation however I do know when growing pines never ever remove low branches. If they do not fit into your design keep them as sacrifices, also called escape branches. In other words the strength of the branch helps to thicken the trunk below the branch adds generally to the vigor of the tree.

Wiring - sure, wire movement into the trunks as long as they are lignified.

Pines are not the easiest species to start with. Remember good draining soil and don't water until the tree has dried out a bit. Take time to grow out the pines and get some others in the meantime. Good species are tridents, Chinese Elms, hedge maples, Japanese flowering quince (depending on your climate).

You can have a good time training a Chinese elm or English hedge maple (Acer campestre) which will grow faster than Scots.

Good luck

Thanks for the great reply, with some great advice. I started with pines because, as mature trees they are my favourite. I have a yew and i am looking to get a few other species. I'm in no major rush so I don't mind the growing time, it gives me time to learn and appreciate them.

Thanks agin