Looks like a relatively high graft -- compared to mine.

Mind disclosing where it came from ? (Thnx)

PS. is this a recent photo? ....no snow to be seen ! ....one would expect WNY to be buried in it at this time.

The graft union on this guy is actually just above ground/mulch level. You can just see the edge of it at the bottom of the picture. I purchased this guy from Bob Fincham at Coenosium gardens.

You're right, we should have a bunch of snow sticking around here in WNY this time of year. However, we had two or three days prior to this photograph that were in the high 40's that melted our nearly 12 inches of snow cover. There was still some snow left elsewhere on the property. The stone wall behind the pine is the south facing wall of the house, which always thaws first. This area is a nice warm little microclimate. I'm going to be planting a variety of cold hardy palm trees (will still need winter protection) behind and to the right of this plant, against the foundation.

Cheers,
Evan