Itoigawa juniper Stock

[KennedyMarx]

Thanks for posting this tree and all the work done to it, Brian. It's hard to believe it's the same tree from the point when you got it to the work done each subsequent year. Very inspiring work, as usual.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Update...still has a long way to go, needs a good wiring job this winter.
Looking at the apex, and thought it might look better rounded off.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Looks great rounded off. Blog update on trimming was excellent too.

 

[october]

Beautiful tree? Love the rounded crown. It's nice to see such a healthy juniper given all the problems that junipers have been having over the last couple of years. Big difference from what you started with.

Rob

 

[fore]

Coming along nicely Brian! Like the new apex.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Rewired, now the apex is pointy again...!

 

[MACH5]

Yet another great progression Brian. Really like how far this tree has come and the process to get there!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Updated, removed the thinner Jin, and slip-potted it into an old Keizan pot.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

This tree has been fun to work on over the last four years, and has really come along nicely. Here is a quick progression of milestones; some great artists have had a hand in this little bonsai.

1. As offered by Brent at Evergreen Gardenworks in 2010.
2. After a workshop with Peter Warren in 2011.
3. After a workshop with Bjorn Bjorholm in spring 2013.
4. After Owen Reich wired it in fall 2013.
5. After changing the front, pruning and wiring it this week.

 

[Nybonsai12]

I'm looking at the pic from after the Peter warren workshop, you later eliminated that right branch and grew everything from that one branch off the trunkline? Is that right?

Either way, What a nice transformation since received. Thanks for the progression

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I'm looking at the pic from after the Peter warren workshop, you later eliminated that right branch and grew everything from that one branch off the trunkline? Is that right?

Yes, that is correct. In fact, that second photo is pretty close to the current front, just at a different planting angle.

 

[Smoke]

Its amazing what you did in four years with this. Its hard to visualize a tree in that starting mass. I think I prefer it when the crown pointed to the left. There just seems to be a lot of bulky wood showing in the new front.

But its not mine so there ya go.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I think I prefer it when the crown pointed to the left. There just seems to be a lot of bulky wood showing in the new front.

Good news is, it's still an option...

 

[Smoke]

Good news is, it's still an option...

Thanks, yep thats what I like.

Again its not mine. I've always liked a little more lingerie on my ladies rather than just exposing it all at once. I like a little mystery....

 

[Nybonsai12]

Yes, that is correct. In fact, that second photo is pretty close to the current front, just at a different planting angle.

Wow, thats just flat out impressive. The entire canopy as it sits now developed from that one branch. Thats what make these progressions so valuable, shows how one can really develop a tree from so little branching. I'm pretty impressed with the girth that branch put on as well. As always nice work BVF, I can't get enough of your progressions.

 

[KennedyMarx]

It's incredible how far it's come from that bush in the nursery pot. I like the new front and the old front. Maybe the old with the Jin partially hidden a tad more. Really stunning work. The progression photos are really appreciated. It makes me excited to get a big Shimpaku this spring. I might need to send Brent an email.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Thanks, yep thats what I like.

Been studying the photos back and forth...think you're right...

 

[Smoke]

Curt and Rod says thanks. Merry Christmas, Al.

 

[Adair M]

Brian, I'm with Smoke. I like the old front. I like the movement in the trunk. The new front shows the trunk going straight up after it splits of from the long Jin.

Amazing progression. You do good work!

 

[Paulpash]

I prefer the old front too - the jin is too in your face and the branching is an afterthought after your eye is done tracking up that deadwood...