California Juniper - need design ideas

[dinh]

Here is a few pix during the re-work on this CJ.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Looks like you separated the live vein from the deadwood? I like where it's headed.

 

[october]

Hello dinh.. I really like what you have done. There is something I see here that I would like to share. Ernie Kuo developed a full silouhette on a tree that had only a few foliage pads. Within 5 years, he filled in the entire tree from a few small initial pads. I think your tree has amazing potential. I think that this tree could become very powerful, maybe not as a bunjin like tree. Rather, as a fuller, sort of informal upright.

It would depend what look you are going for. One is not necessarilly better than the other. I submit these pics for you to look at. Same tree 5 years apart. Your tree with the little foliage reminded me of Ernie's tree. I think those two areas of foliage could be developed and create a very nice tree.

Rob

 

[dinh]

Hello dinh.. I really like what you have done. There is something I see here that I would like to share. Ernie Kuo developed a full silouhette on a tree that had only a few foliage pads. Within 5 years, he filled in the entire tree from a few small initial pads. I think your tree has amazing potential. I think that this tree could become very powerful, maybe not as a bunjin like tree. Rather, as a fuller, sort of informal upright.

It would depend what look you are going for. One is not necessarilly better than the other. I submit these pics for you to look at. Same tree 5 years apart. Your tree with the little foliage reminded me of Ernie's tree. I think those two areas of foliage could be developed and create a very nice tree.

Rob

Thanks for encouragement Rob. Glad to hear you like what I have done so far. And thanks for sharing the pictures of Ernie Kuo's bonsai. Really in love with the movement of that bonsai.

I have this Cal Juiper 6 years ago and it had almost no foliage back then... This Cal Juniper was orginal collected by Mr. Calfiornia Juniper, so it is very special to me indeed, will try my best to create a good one. Hope I will have a chance to post other pictures 5 years later....

Best,
--Dinh

 

[nathanbs]

Here is a few pix during the re-work on this CJ.

View attachment 33574

View attachment 33575

View attachment 33576

First of all l like where you are going with your tree but I had to comment that your raffia looks super loose. if this is the case it defeats the intended purpose of the raffia. It needs to be super tight. If I am imagining things than I apologize for the unnecessary critique

 

[nathanbs]

Hello dinh.. I really like what you have done. There is something I see here that I would like to share. Ernie Kuo developed a full silouhette on a tree that had only a few foliage pads. Within 5 years, he filled in the entire tree from a few small initial pads. I think your tree has amazing potential. I think that this tree could become very powerful, maybe not as a bunjin like tree. Rather, as a fuller, sort of informal upright.

It would depend what look you are going for. One is not necessarilly better than the other. I submit these pics for you to look at. Same tree 5 years apart. Your tree with the little foliage reminded me of Ernie's tree. I think those two areas of foliage could be developed and create a very nice tree.

Rob

Do you think his tree has a trunk base to support this idea? Just curious of your thoughts

 

[dinh]

First of all l like where you are going with your tree but I had to comment that your raffia looks super loose. if this is the case it defeats the intended purpose of the raffia. It needs to be super tight. If I am imagining things than I apologize for the unnecessary critique

There were 3 layers of raffia, the first layer is very tight. But the third layer got lose after benching. Your critique is greatly appreciated. Need to learn for all necessary/unecessary critique ;-))

--Dinh

 

[october]

Do you think his tree has a trunk base to support this idea? Just curious of your thoughts

I also had debated about this. Possibly, if the pads are small and grown very close to the trunk. However, only time will tell. I believe this is one of those trees that is in the middle. It is not a bunjin, but not a thick, powerful trunk tree either. Might have to meet somewhere in the middle with the foliage. Either way, it will be a nice tree especially when the deadwood and vein are cleaned up and complement the foliage.

Rob

 

[dinh]

a few years later ....

 

[JoeR]

Love the flow of the tree. Its gonna be a show stopper when it fills in more.

 

[dinh]

here is a closed shot of the apex of the tree !!!