Itoigawa Shimpaku Redemption

[Dav4]

If this one was on my bench, I might try using a jack to compress the trunk curves closer together… not sure how far the deadwood extends up the trunk- that complicates the procedure a bit as deadwood doesn’t bend. Still, tightening up the curves and bring the canopy back closer to the trunk base would be an improvement. I also agree that you need more movement in the branches- updownsidetoside

 

[Shogun610]

Okay so I tweaked the left branch a bit the foliage is bending up and down then the palm of the branches is facing the opposite way. I put some movement further down on the bottom cascade branch.
The top branch section that is straight unfortunately cannot be bent without totally redoing the wire. But there is a branch on the opposite side growing out right before that straight section that I may cut back to in the future.
So perhaps I can develop the lower branch more and eventually cut the apex back.. if that doesn’t evolve better, the bottom branch eventually . See this is the type of feedback I crave. Thank you.
View attachment 505488

Oh okay you mean like this?

 

[snowman04]

Being a newb I'm confused by the speed in which this is taking place. I thought Bonsai was about patience... Of course, I 'm an old guy so I want to see this thing come to the end!

 

[Shogun610]

Being a newb I'm confused by the speed in which this is taking place. I thought Bonsai was about patience... Of course, I 'm an old guy so I want to see this thing come to the end!

I’m just taking advice for future lol … minor tweaks don’t hurt. And if you wire correctly it doesn’t really run the branches because you’re bending the wire not the branch

 

[Shogun610]

Eventually I think your tree will look better if it is a little simpler.
View attachment 505477
Originally I wanted to remove the bottom branch, but it actually has some movement. I can see this in a crescent pot if this ends up being the final planting position.

What about something like this?? Crescent rock

 

[Shogun610]

Showing some good new growth

 

[Shogun610]

Cleaned and carved some dead line up trying for that ribbon efffect

 

[Shogun610]

I really need a proper set up and angle when taking a pic i feel like i can’t capture its progressed the right way lol but it filled out nicely this summer

 

[snowman04]

View attachment 563445I really need a proper set up and angle when taking a pic i feel like i can’t capture its progressed the right way lol but it filled out nicely this summer

Looks really strong! Love the color as well...

 

[Shogun610]

I got a jack to close that loop a bit more however the deadwood where I had worked before cracked and I saw some live wood underneath .. luckily that was the only spot .. so out of precaution I sealed it up a bit .. hopefully it survives this .. if not I’m done w junipers for good.. I tried to make the tree better by adding this because then I can focus on future design and foliage reduction ..

 

[snowman04]

It should survive! It looks good so far... Let it recover. That's the hardest part with junipers for me, leaving them alone...

 

[Shogun610]

Ps I already found another front though and I’m scared haha it would totally change the tree but it was revealed after the bend

 

[snowman04]

Like Stevie Winwood said, "Roll with it, baby"...

 

[Shogun610]

Kinda did a whole revamp on the style of the tree so letting it just grow out but I love the new direction

 

[Ruddigger]

Much better. The other front looked like it had an elbow going straight at the viewer.

 

[yashu]

Was the cut paste actually necessary in the split that occurred? I ask because it’s my understanding that cut paste/putty is to aid in callous growth and eventual healing over of a wound. This appears to be almost completely within the deadwood and may become difficult to remove later. Any bit of live vein exposed would heal without much issue and if the deadwood is for visual aesthetic I wouldn’t want a big gob of stuff in an otherwise interesting crack. Sealing the wood shouldn’t be an issue if you treat with lime sulfur or other wood stabilizer. Take this with a grain of salt as I’m only seeing so much through the photos.

 

[bwaynef]

I like this front a lot better. It could still be compacted a bit further though, if you're up for it.

 

[Shogun610]

Was the cut paste actually necessary in the split that occurred? I ask because it’s my understanding that cut paste/putty is to aid in callous growth and eventual healing over of a wound. This appears to be almost completely within the deadwood and may become difficult to remove later. Any bit of live vein exposed would heal without much issue and if the deadwood is for visual aesthetic I wouldn’t want a big gob of stuff in an otherwise interesting crack. Sealing the wood shouldn’t be an issue if you treat with lime sulfur or other wood stabilizer. Take this with a grain of salt as I’m only seeing so much through the photos.

I. Sealed it to prevent moisture loss of the live vein so it can heal

 

[Shogun610]

I like this front a lot better. It could still be compacted a bit further though, if you're up for it.

I’m not compacting it anymore .. maybe in future that section closer to top but it’s thick I wil turn it to Shari spiraling around

 

[Shogun610]

I like this front a lot better. It could still be compacted a bit further though, if you're up for it.

And I disagree actually