Could do with some advice on this Juniper

[Fonk]

Hello there!

These last 3 years I've been getting into the hobby and while I'm liking it a lot and trying to learn, I'm very ignorant and insecure about pretty much everything.

So far I have 8 trees and all of them are still in growing containers or training pots. One of them is this juniper, which was my first purchase from nursery stock, and I like to think that it has some potential.



I'm planning on bending the canopy a bit more towards the trunk and I like that part of the tree, a little bit like a hook. But I'm lost with the other two branches... I think that the bigger, lower branch doesn't work on this "design". It extends too much from main trunk. But maybe somebody seems a way for it to work?.

The other one I'm thinking about shortening it to the first secondary branch but I'm not clear on where to position it.

Please Ignore the Jin attempt, that branch broke long ago and I thought I could use it to practice. I think that maybe it could work on the long run but also not so sure about that

Here's another view to better grasp how the branches are and also the little twist the trunk has:



There's other styling idea I have but I'm not convinced it would work and it is a major change to the tree, so I would be glad to hear your input on this as well.

The idea is to chop the top and use the only branch left as a new leader, something like this:



I'm not so sure it would look better and there would be not turning back.


Anyway, I appreciate your input, as always!

 

[BrightsideB]

Add some flow to the branches by wiring them. Also think about another planting angle. I don’t have a particular style in mind. But the branches definitely need wire. Think about bringing them closer to the trunk.

 

[Fonk]

Problem I see bringing that lower branch close to the trunk is that it's so long that the bend where the branch leaves the trunk would be very pronounced. Wiring is definitely on the to do list, but I wanted to clarify the styling a bit before proceeding.

I repotted it a week ago. It was lower and I thought it was better this way. What would you say is wrong with this angle?

Here's the tree with the previous orientation:

 

[caffeinated]

It does have potential, but if you're unsure, and it's your first bought tree that you've kept alive, I'd start practicing design and technique on trees that might be of a little less value to you. Especially if you're thinking of a cut or a bend or whatever, where there isn't any turning back. Meanwhile this one will grow a bit more, mature and maybe fill out a little more, and you'll have a little more confidence after messing around and seeing what works and what doesn't. You may also wind up getting some back budding on that long straight first branch to work with.