is it worth it

[jcrossett]

My mother in law has the typical juniper Bush's in front of her house that she wants removed. I was wondering if I should save them and use them as my noob bonsai. I have pictures of the trunks and the trees they are about 6-8 foot tall. I was going to save the tops and try rooting it.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

They look more like arborvitae, and you have it backwards...cut away the tops and try to save the bases!

I wouldn't be inclined to over-exert myself on these, but it may be worth a try if you see something in the lower 12"-15" that may have potential. Look for taper, movement, and some interior foliage.

 

[jcrossett]

I was going to try and use the top 12-24 inches of the far right the left to are dead on most of the sides but the trunks are mostly straight and very thick far left is about the size of a full paper towel roll. Thats why I was going to try and use the top trunks thick but still workable.

 

[jcrossett]

Sorry I see what you mean just reread what you said. OK in saving the lower bit would the foolage grow back on these and how would you go about it. Would you trim it all down and replant it in one go. What soil to use and when to do this ( when's to late ).

 

[iant]

I'd pass on this.
Ian

 

[Paradox]

I agree with Brian and Iant. These are not worth the work involved.

 

[Don Blackmond]

no, its not

 

[SimonDuval]

Right now, they are not worth it... Depending how soon your MIL wants them removed, I would chop them 1 foot from the ground, and wait 1 growing season. If they bounce back from that, you'll have a nice stump that with some carving, could become usable.

 

[KennedyMarx]

So arborvitae even backbud when chopped back to no foliage?

 

[klosi]

I think I have no more experiences on bonsai then you do, but I would say what the heck and go with it.
It's not about making world class bonsai out of this. It's about learning basic principles of how the plant responds to your doing. Sure it depends on spieces, but you will get valuable experience on juniper and on other bonsai basics.
If they are going to become compost anyway, and you have the space, time and will to do this I would do it no question's asked.
Not expecting anything from this I think I would do it anyway.

Good luck!

PS I would also use bottom part of the juniper since it has thickest trunk. I hope they have not started to grow yet, because if they have then repotting or replanting them could kill these plants (anyone with more knowladge or experiences on this correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[SimonDuval]

Thuja are pretty toughs! If within that 1 foot there is foliage, even on the tip of branches, you've got a chance. I've seen some come back from pretty hard pruning. If there is no foliage, forget it, I would give it a try, that's about the only chance of ever having something bonsai-like from those bushes.

 

[michaelj]

Arborvitae is not the easiest material to use to make good bonsai. I've seen it done, but it's not a good tree for beginner material. If you do pursue, and if it does not go well, don't let it get you down, because there is a lot of other great material you can find success with.

 

[jcrossett]

Wow thanks for all the input. I'm gonna try it like some said its gonna be waste anyway. I have some extra 8 gallon nursery pots so let's do this. Now I no nothing about these since they aren't juniper do they like dry or moist soil and could I cut it down it 1 foot trim the foliage aexample trim down amount of branches and repot all at once or is that just way to much. Also what about sunlight.

 

[Victrinia Ridgeway]

Most important thing.... when digging them out... disturb as little of the roots as possible. Dig wide as possible, and don't worry about changing the soil... survival is the key. Put them in a area that doesn't get too hot during the day and just leave them be until next year. Go ahead and prune them back, but try not to be too radical about it. I would only take them down to about 3 feet high and thin them out so light can get inside.

When collecting a tree, we often leave them along for a few years to ensure that they handled the move before investing time into working on them. These are multiyear projects just to get them out of their native dirt really.... so decide if that's worth your time, water, and attention beforehand. Rushing is a guarantee of having firewood for your sweat equity.

V

 

[october]

So arborvitae even backbud when chopped back to no foliage?

No, you leave foliage in the area where you want to grow more foliage.

Rob

 

[jcrossett]

Good news I think. Last night I got the tree out and cut it in half. Down to about 3'. Now these trees are at least 10 years old and as seen in the pics filled with inner dead wood, should/ could I cut all that out but the pieces im going to use down the road. Also see that these plants won't grow over scar tissue so I know I need to be careful while trimming.

 

[CHUCHIN]

I'm very curious to see what you do with this...

Keep us posted

 

[jcrossett]

So m I honestly its still so thick I can't get an idea for shaping but trying to keep it alive one thing at a time lol.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

One part of me agrees with the rest of the group---NO! But the other part says that if they are gonna be yanked out any way, chop them hard, see what happens, and use this as a learning experience. Worse comes to worse, you have some shrubbery to plant in your landscape at home. Nothing ventured, nothing gained......

Just my two cents,

John

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I would keep the bare side facing the sun to encourage back budding. Next year, find the best single, or pair of trunks with growth, and prune everything else away.