First juniper tree

[Turboyeast]

Loving the new photos!

This one very much shows a lovely shape I missed! It's always amazing what you can miss in a 2d photo!

Attached I drew on one of the photos as to where I would air layer (dispite loosing the lovely current nebari you can develop more in the future)

Secondary thought although I'm not sold as you'd loose so much lovely character... But a raft style definitely has potential if you find yourselves stuck.
It would be an immensely difficult project but I see characteristics that would be perfect for it

Again i personally would prefer to see an informal upright but discussing all the wonderful things we could do is so much fun!

I am very indecisive at the moment, but welcome your ideas. Until now I have learned that a deep intervention is probably required...we are not going to unlock the trees full potential by bending some branches.

I will try to make a vid rotating the tree for (even) better perspective...

I would also welcome similar inspiring projects which are posted somewhere here (or on youtube).
Cheers, TY

 

[doc spring _work]

I am very indecisive at the moment, but welcome your ideas. Until now I have learned that a deep intervention is probably required...we are not going to unlock the trees full potential by bending some branches.

I will try to make a vid rotating the tree for (even) better perspective...

I would also welcome similar inspiring projects which are posted somewhere here (or on youtube).
Cheers, TY

Might check some nursery stock videos!

They take trees that might not have too much going for them and do the best they can

 

[Turboyeast]

LS.,
Whilst others are enjoying the Bonsai Tropy in Genk, I have been spending countless hours tilting, turning and studying the juniper tree. I have come to certain understandings.
1) the tree requires a front.

To be continued....

 

[Turboyeast]

LS.,
I don't really know how to edit former posts, so I'll just continue here.
As mentioned, I have been thinking about the front of the tree. After weighing multiple options, I think it would be best to take the section with the deadwood (articulated in purple in the picture) as front. This side also brings out the roots quite nice...

In addition, Iam playing with the thought to completely remove the folliage as articulated in purple above. This section is not really part of the tree and keeps breaking the shape. I will -though, make a big jin of the side-branch.

The next challenge will be to bring the tree from a broccoli-shape to something that resembles a bonsai-shape. Iam still uncertain in which direction to move, but hopefully (my) Mr. Miyagi has bright ideas.

I also need to check upon the root system and assess the vitality of the tree (seems great though).

Cheers, TY

 

[Turboyeast]

....and I brought some inspiration back from a small walk outdoors....

To be continued....

 

[Paradox]

LS.,
I don't really know how to edit former posts, so I'll just continue here.

It locks you out from being able to edit a post after 20 minutes

 

[Turboyeast]

It locks you out from being able to edit a post after 20 minutes

Check!

 

[Turboyeast]

LS.,
Yesterday we worked on the tree. We determined the frontside of the tree and chiselled, cut, broke, teared, scraped and drilled. The grand idea behind all this is, is that we want to transform this tree to a sharimiki at some point, thus creating a lot of deadwood. This is the only shape that fits the tree...(in my humble opinion).
It seems a bit rigorous (at least my wife told me), but wise men said that you sometimes have to take 10 steps back in order to get forward.
The whole things feels a bit like carving a statue in marble, but isn't this the essence of bonsai?

The next days I will work on cleaning the exposed jin parts. I will also prune the tree and will work on the shari.
Time will tell if we took the right direction...
Cheers, TY

 

[AshleyMammal]

This is the exact opposite of what I would have done......... but that is the absolute joy of bonsai - there is never just one right answer. (Take my opinions as a pinch of salt, I'm very much still learning!).

Are your plans to keep the planting angle and essentially keep broadly the same amount of foliage but compact it down?

 

[Turboyeast]

This is the exact opposite of what I would have done......... but that is the absolute joy of bonsai - there is never just one right answer. (Take my opinions as a pinch of salt, I'm very much still learning!).

Are your plans to keep the planting angle and essentially keep broadly the same amount of foliage but compact it down?

Haha, yes I totally understand. It takes a certain amount of boldness to do such major interventions in a tree, because you THINK the future image looks good. Time will tell if we made the right choice.
Perhaps we will change the planting angle a bit, but this is a consideration for next year or thereafter. First the tree needs to strengthen and decide how to deal with the recent assault. My thoughts are compacting the foliage down to the essentials. For now we leave it as is, because the tree needs to photosynthesize to recover. Somewhere late summer we will start with wiring the branches....
Cheers, TY

 

[Deleted member 47471]

 

[Turboyeast]

LS.,
Today I pruned the tree. Tried to make as much air between the foliage, taking into consideration that the tree also needs to photosynthesise/strengthen. Also tidied up the shari and removed some weeds. The tree is ready to wake up after a wet and boring winter...
Cheers, TY

 

[doc spring _work]

Sorry I've been away awhile! Lovely to see your work on the tree! Not exactly what I'd envisioned but the deadwood will be a lovely feature as it develops!

 

[Turboyeast]

Sorry I've been away awhile! Lovely to see your work on the tree! Not exactly what I'd envisioned but the deadwood will be a lovely feature as it develops!

No problem. I am very anxious to see how this little characteristic tree will develop. My concern is still that the foliage is on the outer ends of the branches.
I will be a big challenge to get an attractive shape in this tree.

Cut-off material has been planted so that will be an interesting development as well...
Cheers, TY

 

[Turboyeast]

LS.,
Brushed the bark today gently with a brass brush....late afternoon sunshine. Nice!
Cheers, TY

 

[doc spring _work]

Hmm is this going to be the front in the future looks like there's a ton of inverse taper now this direction so so open

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Hmm is this going to be the front in the future looks like there's a ton of inverse taper now this direction so so open

Could raft into Forest, maybe

 

[doc spring _work]

Could raft into Forest, maybe

I think that would be awesome but I'm not sure he'll go for it, the dead wood could create a scene of desolation around the life sprouting tho

 

[rockm]

No problem. I am very anxious to see how this little characteristic tree will develop. My concern is still that the foliage is on the outer ends of the branches.
I will be a big challenge to get an attractive shape in this tree.

Cut-off material has been planted so that will be an interesting development as well...
Cheers, TY

"My concern is still that the foliage is on the outer ends of the branches.
I will be a big challenge to get an attractive shape in this tree."

Desperately needs a solid overall wiring to bend those branches back into the design. Either that, or you might consider grafts closer to the trunk.