Cleaning up a procumbens

[october]

Hello all. I repotted this tree back in the Spring and have been letting it grow for a few months. There are a few problems than need to be addressed. The bottom branch on the right has been dying over the last 3-4 months. Over the last year or so, the tree has outgrown it's silhouette. Also, the shari needs to be cleaned up and augmented.

Here is the before and a couple of afters. The first pic shows the tree before the work. Notice the bottom branch is dead. I was able to pull down and separate the branch above it to fill in for the dead branch. I cleaned up the bark. Cleaned and extended the shari a bit, wired and pruned. I will continue the work tomorrow. I need to extend the shari around the curve. I might reduce the apex as well.

Rob

 

[John Ruger]

Ah yes, one of my favorite trees.

Looks real good Rob.

 

[october]

Ah yes, one of my favorite trees.

Looks real good Rob.

Thanks John.. A few of my junipers have decided they don't like their bottom branch. I was lucky to maintain the style even without that branch.

Rob

 

[aidan13]

This has been one of my favorite trees ever since I stumbled across it in a thread a while back. It looks so incredibly natural!

 

[jkd2572]

Very nice tree. Looks better without the branch. Pot fits it perfect. nice job.

 

[edprocoat]

Another real nice one Rob !

ed

 

[Paradox]

I think it is nicer now than before. The dying branch no longer hides the jin so much.
Very nice.

 

[fore]

Very nice Rob! I too like the jinned lower branch.

 

[AboveBeyond]

I love the movement of the tree. Thanks for sharing Rob.

 

[misfit11]

Great tree as usual, Rob. Would you be willing to discuss how you keep the growth on Procumbens relatively compact? I'm assuming this isn't a nana, correct? The reason I ask is because my Procumbens regularly sends out 2 inch + growth without dividing. Your post said that you had let it grow unchecked this season. How do you maintain a tight image without constantly pinching?

I took mine to a recent workshop and because of the course growth, it was suggested I graft shimpaku on it. Perhaps it has to do with climatic differences. My tree is very vigorous (way too much so!) but it may be due to our ideal bonsai growing conditions here in the north bay SF area. I was told that in order to keep the foliage tight, you need to be on top of it constantly. For one thing, I don't have the time for this. For another, I don't think that kind of pinching would be healthy for the tree.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

Cory

 

[october]

This has been one of my favorite trees ever since I stumbled across it in a thread a while back. It looks so incredibly natural!

Thank you aidan13. Very kind words.

 

[october]

I think it is nicer now than before. The dying branch no longer hides the jin so much.
Very nice.

Thanks Paradox. Ya, I guess the tree knows more than I do. Guess it thought I could use a styling suggestion..lol

Rob

 

[october]

Great tree as usual, Rob. Would you be willing to discuss how you keep the growth on Procumbens relatively compact? I'm assuming this isn't a nana, correct? The reason I ask is because my Procumbens regularly sends out 2 inch + growth without dividing. Your post said that you had let it grow unchecked this season. How do you maintain a tight image without constantly pinching?

I took mine to a recent workshop and because of the course growth, it was suggested I graft shimpaku on it. Perhaps it has to do with climatic differences. My tree is very vigorous (way too much so!) but it may be due to our ideal bonsai growing conditions here in the north bay SF area. I was told that in order to keep the foliage tight, you need to be on top of it constantly. For one thing, I don't have the time for this. For another, I don't think that kind of pinching would be healthy for the tree.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

Cory

Thank you very much. You are correct. This is a regular Japanese Garden juniper. Also, correct about the pinching. I hardly do any pinching on this tree. Sometimes I pinch in the apex since that is the strongest area and I need to keep energy going to other areas. This tree is maintained with almost all scissor pruning. Also, it doesn't need constant attention. I usually prune maybe once a season, then let the tree grow freely. It gets pretty strong and then I cut it back the next season. These trees can be difficult. Cutting back too much or pinching to keep the silhouette in check can weaken branches. I let the tree grow and see what options it presents me.

Can you post a pic of your tree here or start another thread? Also, I would not graft anything on to a procumbens. I think it's worth the time and can be rewarding when they get to a more finished look. I should mention that it can take a few years to get the growth looking good.

Rob

 

[Mbpauley]

Rob,

I noticed that the jin about in the center of the foliage maybe 2/3 up the trunk seems to change slightly between the first and the second picture. It looks as if it points downward a bit more. Did you work that jin as well? Or maybe the photo was taken at a slightly different angle? Anyway, really a phenomenal tree.

Michael

 

[october]

Rob,

I noticed that the jin about in the center of the foliage maybe 2/3 up the trunk seems to change slightly between the first and the second picture. It looks as if it points downward a bit more. Did you work that jin as well? Or maybe the photo was taken at a slightly different angle? Anyway, really a phenomenal tree.

Michael

Wow Michael, you have a good eye. I did not even notice it. I just went to look at the tree. Unfortunately, the jin broke. I really like the new jin placement too. Unfortunately, it is almost broken completely off. I will need to remove it. I suppose I could break out the crazy glue. However, I will probably just remove it. Good eye and thanks for complimenting the tree and pointing this out.

Rob

 

[Mbpauley]

Wow Michael, you have a good eye. I did not even notice it. I just went to look at the tree. Unfortunately, the jin broke. I really like the new jin placement too. Unfortunately, it is almost broken completely off. I will need to remove it. I suppose I could break out the crazy glue. However, I will probably just remove it. Good eye and thanks for complimenting the tree and pointing this out.

Rob

Ah, that's a bummer... I agree though, the placement of it in the second pic is more pleasing than the first. It would be great if glue could be applied inconspicuously, although it would probably develop a different color as it weathers. Never tried it though, so who knows. Is only the bottom part of it broken, or would you need to remove it entirely?

 

[october]

Ah, that's a bummer... I agree though, the placement of it in the second pic is more pleasing than the first. It would be great if glue could be applied inconspicuously, although it would probably develop a different color as it weathers. Never tried it though, so who knows. Is only the bottom part of it broken, or would you need to remove it entirely?

It actually is a forked jin. Unfortunately, it is broke almost from where it emanates. I will get to keep the shorter one on the left though. What I liked was that although thin, it filled in that space perfectly. Oh well, what can you do.

Rob

 

[Mbpauley]

It actually is a forked jin. Unfortunately, it is broke almost from where it emanates. I will get to keep the shorter one on the left though. What I liked was that although thin, it filled in that space perfectly. Oh well, what can you do.

Rob

Luckily it isn't a crucial aspect of the design. Whether it stays or goes wouldn't effect the overall impact that of the tree. Meant to say, also, that losing the right branch may have been sort of a blessing in disguise. The shape of the lower jin is less obscured.

 

[wireme]

Glue the jinn on and extend the Shari to it?

 

[wireme]

I just noticed we're talking about a different jinn, you said you'll extend the Shari, would you connect it to the lower jinn?