Advice - Procumbens (nana) Juniper

[jasonpg]

I recently picked up a Procumbens juniper from a bonsai nursery. I enjoy the movement of the trunk and that it already has some established branching.

I'm still newish to Bonsai. The tree isn't very tall ... and when I look at photos of procumbent junipers for inspiration, I try to imagine how I would style this tree. But I'm not "seeing it" yet.

Can someone point me in the right direction? It seems like if I started wiring these branches down, the tree would be super short ... so I'm not sure where to start.

Don't mind the chopstick. I use it to know when to water

Thanks!

 

[Eric Group]

Looks like a Parsons not Procumbens to me!

Where to start? Remove downward growing shoots, find the trunk line and set some branches where you want them.

 

[jasonpg]

Thanks. Looking at it, I see the trunk as being the red as I've highlighted here. I have a couple questions:

1. The white circle represents foliage that would be removed. This seems pretty significant ... could it be done at one time, or should that be cut back over time?
2. The right branch (labeled "A") has a pretty significant girth. Is it too large compared to the trunk?

Thanks!

 

[MaverickLancer]

If you tilt the planting angle counter clockwise, you can make a semi-cascade out of it.

If you choose to keep it as an informal upright, I'd jin the circled branch. You can always cut it off later if you decide you can completely do without it.

Also, theres nothing wrong with a short (shohin) tree. Just means you have more room for more trees!

 

[sorce]

Looks like a Parsons not Procumbens to me!

Where to start? Remove downward growing shoots, find the trunk line and set some branches where you want them.

I'm just being an a-hole, but the downward growing shoots might not be growing downward after an angle change, and twisting branches.

I only bring it up, cuz in this instance, looks like a big angle change could happen.

All I know is I wouldn't cut it yet, well definitely not this year anyway, I might use the left.

More pics more Pics!

Sorce

 

[JoeR]

We could use some more pictures, pereferably of all four sides.

 

[Eric Group]

I'm just being an a-hole, but the downward growing shoots might not be growing downward after an angle change, and twisting branches.

I only bring it up, cuz in this instance, looks like a big angle change could happen.

All I know is I wouldn't cut it yet, well definitely not this year anyway, I might use the left.

More pics more Pics!

Sorce

Yeah, they might not be growing down any more... If the angle change FLIPPED THE TREE UPSIDE DOWN! Probably not the healthiest of ideas for a re-design, but maybe I am just being an a-hole too!

 

[Eric Group]

Thanks. Looking at it, I see the trunk as being the red as I've highlighted here. I have a couple questions:

1. The white circle represents foliage that would be removed. This seems pretty significant ... could it be done at one time, or should that be cut back over time?
2. The right branch (labeled "A") has a pretty significant girth. Is it too large compared to the trunk?

Thanks!

Not too much, and I would agree with Maverick- if your goal is to remove all that, you should creat a Jin, , eventually carry the dead wood on down the trunk probably... To create a deadwood feature out of that branch, just go ahead and remove the foliage from the areas you want to kill. Let it die off and dry out a little then remove the bark.. I I think the trees take less offense to the natural die back like than they do if you just go ahead and rip off all the bark and everything in one go..

I might take that trunk design one step earlier and got with that first ranch on the right as your new leader. Obviously- as others have said, we need more pics to see the whole tree- I cannot judge from this one shot what exactly the angle is for that branch, but if you replant the tree at a different angle, leaned forward more, maybe twisted a bit.... That super thick branch would make a more natural transition in less time and might give you a more interesting twist to your design than the standard, "cookie cutter" S curve you have laid out. Just an idea to consider!
Good luck!

And... Doesn't this look like a Parsons to others on here? Procumbens foliage is much smaller, even at the juvenile stage and the more mature growth at the tips is way too beefy for Procumbens! They also almost never get this thick unless they are left to grow for 50-100 years maybe, while a Parsons can get this thick pretty quick...

 

[jasonpg]

Great feedback! More pics coming this afternoon.

Thanks

 

[jasonpg]

"Front"


"Side A"


"Back"


"Side "B"


View of Branches


Top Down

 

[Paradox]

This is a really nice tree and will make a very nice informal upright.
Please dont make a cascade/semi cascade out of this one.

 

[sorce]

Nice toes!

About the only thing keeps coming to mind is USE EVERYTHING!

This'd be a stare fest for me.

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

I'd say that is a San Jose juniper. Parsons are bluer. Procumbens foliage is smaller.
Pretty cool tree no matter which. And all are treated the same.

 

[drew33998]

Keep it alive for a year and see what ideas you have then. That's my new motto for new CONIFERS I purchase or collect.

 

[The Bonsai Herald]

Could be a nice grafting project... If that interests you.

Andrew

 

[Smoke]

You guys do understand that procumbens that most people are used to is nana, a dwarf variety. Regular procumbens is larger and more course like this. It could be just plain ole procumbens.

In Japan it is called Sonare.

 

[Giga]

looks great what ever it is, study it and try different angles and find something that suit your imagination!

 

[Eric Group]

You guys do understand that procumbens that most people are used to is nana, a dwarf variety. Regular procumbens is larger and more course like this. It could be just plain ole procumbens.

In Japan it is called Sonare.

Yeah, I was aware of the Procumbens that is not a dwarf variety... Just saying this looks like Parsons to me. The trunk, foliage and bark all resemble Parsons... It is a LOT more common in nurseries and landscapes in the US as well than either the SanJose or Procumbens "non- Nana"... Anything is possible I suppose.

 

[Janson]

Im not sure if I quite agree with the theoretical "front" you've chosen. The trunk leaning back is off-putting.

I like "Side B" for an informal upright styling.

 

[jasonpg]

This one is growing some different foliage this year (mature foliage?)

Should I let it grow out? Also, any clear idea of the type of juniper from this pic?