A collected cedar I finally got around to working on.

Daniel son STL · Mar 28, 2024

So first off im not sure what the difference is between juniper and cedar. Im thinking cedar is just a juniper but in full on “tree” form hitting 30’+ tall and junipers being more of a shrub. Maybe somebody can clarify this for me.

Anyway I collected this guy along side a trail on my buddies landlords property about 3-5 years ago. I got rid of a cpl branches that I wouldn’t need about a year or two in and other than that I’ve just watered and fed it a few times until I figured out what to do with it.

Realized the other day I don’t have many straight trees, informal upright, while I’ve got plenty of twisted/crazy bent trees looking like theyre permanently living in a hurricane. So I got to looking around and when I came across this guy I decided to give it a whirl.

It’s not the best but pics never do my trees justice lol!

Daniel son STL · Mar 28, 2024

Daniel son STL · Mar 28, 2024

Daniel son STL · Mar 28, 2024

Too bad I couldn’t get those on the first post…

JRBonsai · Mar 28, 2024

You might consider removing one of the two vertical branches. They’re completely identical and parallel. After that, reduce the branch you keep to about half it’s height and let that be the new apex. This will give the tree some taper, which it really needs given the lack of taper on the main trunk.

Empty Mountain · Mar 28, 2024

Daniel son STL said:
So first off im not sure what the difference is between juniper and cedar. Im thinking cedar is just a juniper but in full on “tree” form hitting 30’+ tall and junipers being more of a shrub. Maybe somebody can clarify this for me.

Juniperus virginiana goes by the common name "Eastern red cedar" but it is a juniper and not a true cedar (Cedrus). I'm sure that's where the confusion comes from.

Wires_Guy_wires · Mar 28, 2024

Empty Mountain said:
Juniperus virginiana goes by the common name "Eastern red cedar" but it is a juniper and not a true cedar (Cedrus). I'm sure that's where the confusion comes from.

Not to be mistaken with other cedars, like white cedar, common name for thuja if memory serves me right.

pandacular · Mar 28, 2024

The story I had heard about all the mis-named cedars is that it meant something like "good lumber tree" when European settlers came to North America. Things like rot resistance, tall straight growth and other good lumber properties are common in false cedars.

This is a good lesson in the use of correct binomial (Latin) names, as common names are misleading. False cedars can be a huge number of genii, including Juniperus, Chamaecyparis, Thuja, Cupressus, Cryptomeria and probably others. True cedars are in genus Cedrus.

But anyway, I think this tree is looking great!

GGB · Mar 28, 2024

I like it, very natural

Daniel son STL · Mar 28, 2024

JRBonsai said:
You might consider removing one of the two vertical branches. They’re completely identical and parallel. After that, reduce the branch you keep to about half it’s height and let that be the new apex. This will give the tree some taper, which it really needs given the lack of taper on the main trunk.

Thanks for your input. Honestly I kind of liked the twin trunks up top. I did make one shorter than than the other and the other to be jined up top. I could cut the shorter one even shorter so it is more noticeable and brings the apex down a smidge.

As far as taper goes, that’s normally my thing, but I love the lack of taper in this tree because it’s just a regular looking tree. Like one you might find in the woods behind your house or in your neighbors yard even. Not the typical “bonsai”.

Daniel son STL · Mar 28, 2024

Empty Mountain said:
Juniperus virginiana goes by the common name "Eastern red cedar" but it is a juniper and not a true cedar (Cedrus). I'm sure that's where the confusion comes from.

Wires_Guy_wires said:
Not to be mistaken with other cedars, like white cedar, common name for thuja if memory serves me right.

Sounds like somebody knows their stuff. I appreciate the info.

Daniel son STL · Mar 28, 2024

GGB said:
I like it, very natural

Thanks
That’s what I was going for.

Daniel son STL · Mar 28, 2024

JRBonsai · Mar 28, 2024

Daniel son STL said:
Thanks for your input. Honestly I kind of liked the twin trunks up top. I did make one shorter than than the other and the other to be jined up top. I could cut the shorter one even shorter so it is more noticeable and brings the apex down a smidge.

As far as taper goes, that’s normally my thing, but I love the lack of taper in this tree because it’s just a regular looking tree. Like one you might find in the woods behind your house or in your neighbors yard even. Not the typical “bonsai”.

I understand your perspective, and applaud you for staying true to your own inclination. Looking around outside, real trees are 9/10 times complete oddballs and far from perfect within the context of bonsai rules. It’s only sometimes you see a real tree and go like -damn that thing looks like a large scale bonsai- but most those trees are by and far the exception!

Daniel son STL · Mar 28, 2024

Very true. Naturalistic style trees and bonsai are totally different. Personally I’m in love with the ultra taper of a sumo, but let’s get real here, its extremely rare to find one in nature.

A collected cedar I finally got around to working on.

Daniel son STL

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