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Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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Posted by
famartin z5 NE NV (
My Page) on
Mon, Aug 13, 12 at 2:29
| Back in 1989, this tree was severely damaged in a severe thunderstorm. The upper 1/2 to 2/3 of the tree was broken clean off. Instead of having the tree removed, the owner decided to leave it around, and in response to its decapitation, it performed an interesting trick with its horizontal side branches just below the break. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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- Posted by whaas 5a SE WI (My Page) on
Mon, Aug 13, 12 at 18:24
| Your neighbor waited 20 years for that? I'd cut it down in a heartbeat. Its a disgrace to this tree's true majestic form. I promise I am not a tree snob. |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| Doesn't look too bad - kind of like a saguaro cactus or something! |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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- Posted by botann z8 SEof Seattle (My Page) on
Mon, Aug 13, 12 at 20:34
When that happens around here the loggers call that a 'School Marm'.
I don't know why.
Mike |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| I have 2 Pinus strobus that have that type of growth. I blame Utility Companys. They may look a bit odd but I am not worried about mine. I would imagine yours will be okay. |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| Pine weevils and pine shoot moths very often destroy the leader in white and other pines. When this happens, the tree responds by producing multiple leaders so you get a tree that closely resembles the photos rather than a classic Christmas tree shape. As white pines age they often assume a multiple leader growth pattern even without insect damage. |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| School Marm- A crotched log or tree with two main trunks. Since such logs did not turn easily in water, they were useful to raw river drivers in practicing the art of balancing on a log. tj P.S. I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok ;-) |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| To me, that pine look better than an ordinary one. I like irregular trees, and conifers are usually way to straight and predictable. Like an army of indentical soldiers. |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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- Posted by whaas 5a SE WI (My Page) on
Thu, Aug 16, 12 at 19:46
| Man, you have to go over to the conifer forum. Yes your species plants are predictable but there are so many irregular cultivars out there its not even funny. Although, don't knock the species plants. Pinus strobus could be considered an aristocrat with its layered habit it produces with age. If you want irregular you get an irregular cultivar. Maybe start with 'Niagra Falls'. |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| Simply put, there are different types of beauty. One of the things I like best about a stand of large conifers is the endless procession of straight trunks. Especially a stand of large Pinus resinosa with their pinkish purple bark. And then yes, in the right location, a contorted or otherwise irregular specimen is also beautiful. But methinks a whole forest of misshapen things would have less impact than the more usual highly programmed growth. +oM |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| Scots pine is the second most common tree around here, commonly used in forestry. Mile after mile with identical trees, high and straight and perfect for cutting boards of. It is so refreshing to climb some cliffs and see crooked pines living up there, clinging to the minimal soil between the rocks. But even the pines are better than spruce, which is even more uniform. |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| So you're saying spruce grow improperly? ;^) +oM |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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Sometimes folks are reluctant to cut trees down in the desert no matter how they look. Shade is that valued.
I have several Loblolly pines east of here growing for the express purpose of becoming state champions. One of them had top break out ~ 15 yrs ago. It has since regrown leaders similar to what is pictured. (the break was up about 90') This past summer an osprey couple took up residence in it and raised a family. Sometimes a less than perfect tree can still serve a purpose.
That said I prefer the single-trunked typical conical shape. |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| Scotjute, not sure if your comment was in reference to my location or just an anecdote based on your location, but just to clarify, this tree is located in New Jersey. |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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- Posted by botann z8 SEof Seattle (My Page) on
Sat, Aug 18, 12 at 16:31
tsugajunkie, thank you very much!
Makes sense to me now. In my garden when a normally single trunk tree tries to develop a second leader, I call the new leader a 'Pretender to the Throne' and promptly remove it. There are straight tree people and crooked tree people.
Straight tree people like straight trees, straight lines, and matched pairs. Formality gives them a sense of order. They do not like crooked trees. No way could I design, or install, a crooked tree in their garden. Formality has it's faults though. The eye goes to the one that is not like the rest. It's also a never ending battle to keep it 'perfect'. Crooked tree people like both types, straight and crooked, and a less formal setting. Most people are in this category. The garden design is more relaxed and forgiving, but sometimes it can degenerate into chaos......think typical cottage garden. Or my garden in a lot of places. Paying attention to scale is the key.
Mike |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| Thought your location and that of the tree was NorthEast Nevada. Will admit I was a bit surprised to see a green lawn and a white pine there. |
RE: Decapitated White Pine 20 years later
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| Figured that might confuse a bit ;) I'm a NJ native, but live in NE NV at present. I have seen one or two white pines in NV but they didn't look happy. |
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