Juniperus Communis

[berobinson82]

This Juniperus Communis was picked up at the PBA show from Jim Doyle as previously mentioned. Last night I sat down with it to clean it out a bit. After pulling several dozen needles out of my hands, I wised up, donned some gloves, and ended up staying up way too late to be fully functioning today. I tried to leave on as many branches as I could and only removed the overly heavy ones near the top. This is where I ended up. I reckon I'll let it recover in the shade for a couple weeks and wait until next year to do any further work. Thanks for taking a look.

 

[Dav4]

Wow, pretty good start there. I like what you've done so far. Now, feed, water, and let it grow (I don't think you need to keep it in the shade now, either). Good job.

Dave

 

[rockm]

A very nice start. You've got a bit more branch selection to do -- but that can wait a bit. Have you decided on the front? The last two photos both show some potential. The front would dictate the future branch structure.

 

[berobinson82]

A very nice start. You've got a bit more branch selection to do -- but that can wait a bit. Have you decided on the front? The last two photos both show some potential. The front would dictate the future branch structure.

Thanks man. The fourth picture would most likely be the front as it leans towards the viewer more from that angle. It is more apparent from the top which, I must admit, I did not capture with a photo. (tonight)

I always thought big cutbacks and wiring stressed the tree and it would require shade. Is that only when being repotted/collected/roots tampered with?

As far as branch selection/placement, I am sure I've much to learn yet.

Thanks again for looking.

 

[rockm]

If the fourth pic is the front, you might want to consider removing the wired branch in front on the bottom of the curve. It tends to distract a bit.

Also, it looks like one of the back branches (or it may be on the front--can't really tell from the photo) points back to the trunk or at least in the opposite direction from the tree's movement toward the left. Removing, or rearranging it so it points towards the left would help with the flow of the tree's trunk.

 

[october]

Hello berobinson82.. I like what you have done with this. It is a difficult tree as far as styling options. Rockm gave you some great advice about reducing the branches when the time is right and the tree has recovered. If I may suggest something..when it is time to repot, I think that planting it on a different angle might greatly improve the look of this tree. Tilting it towards the right about 45 degrees and wiring the branches to swoop down more could make this tree stunning. Here is a virt of what I mean..just my opinion..

Rob

One more with a winding shari.

 

[Bill S]

Just like the fire works Rob, ohhhh ahhhhh, cool vert.

 

[berobinson82]

@rockm - I think I see exactly what you mean. That branch is crossing the trunk. I was trying to fill in a dead space but perhaps that space is meant to be void. I'll most certainly get on your suggestion once it's time to restyle. As always, thank you for your input.

@rob - 0_o that tree looks awesome! It's great to have a more experienced eye. I really appreciate the virt. I think that's a good direction for this tree. Yes, sir. That's a winner. Thank you for taking the time.

 

[berobinson82]

Spent some time on this old juni yesterday having unwired it this past summer and letting it rest on the bench. It's apparent health encouraged a further refinement in trying to get it closer to the image that Rob provided. The goal was to reduce the foliage way back to try and bring the trunk into a better proportion.

Carnage:



Here's where we ended up. Needs a lot of filling in on top, but I think it's a step in the right direction.




That lower right branch is still driving us nuts. It will need some raffia and thick wire because it's just way too straight.

Now, about this photographing bonsai thing, I'm still clueless. I'm hoping to get a black backdrop in the near future.

Thank you for taking a look.

 

[berobinson82]

left

back

right

 

[october]

Good to see this tree back in the loop. Coming along nicely. Thank you for using my virt as a guide. As far as the branch on the right, maybe you could guy wire it down. It really doesn't have far to go. How thick is it?

Basically, now, besides repotting.. All you have to do is wait. Let it grow back into a bush. Which will probably take 1 whole season. Then next season, you can cut back again.

Rob

 

[berobinson82]

Thanks Rob! I'm content to feed this guy heavy this year and perhaps next year get it into a smaller drum as recommended. I imagine shari work would be best performed next winter?

 

[october]

Thanks Rob! I'm content to feed this guy heavy this year and perhaps next year get it into a smaller drum as recommended. I imagine shari work would be best performed next winter?

Sure.. Basically, whenever the tree is not in full on growth you can do shari work. Fall as well. Since you want as much energy as possible to get to the upper portion of the tree, you might want to hold off on the shari work for awhile. You could always start the shari one season and complete it the next season.

Rob

 

[Poink88]

Hello berobinson82.. I like what you have done with this. It is a difficult tree as far as styling options. Rockm gave you some great advice about reducing the branches when the time is right and the tree has recovered. If I may suggest something..when it is time to repot, I think that planting it on a different angle might greatly improve the look of this tree. Tilting it towards the right about 45 degrees and wiring the branches to swoop down more could make this tree stunning. Here is a virt of what I mean..just my opinion..

Rob

One more with a winding shari.

Just saw this thread. WOW...excellent virt!

Between the two, I like the first one better.

 

[berobinson82]

I agree Poink, I prefer the shari in the first pic. Tried to draw it on with chalk but couldn't get it quite right just yet. Perhaps in a year I'll start to remove some bark. I'm debating whether to leave the bark as is or if I want to strip it and polish it for more contrast.

 

[berobinson82]

Been a while. I unwired the tree and let it grow freely over the summer. Moved a few branches last night but honestly I feel like it could benefit from some more negative space as this is kind of helmet-like currently.

My goal was to compact the design and cover up some bald spots by rearranging foliage. Tough piece of material. Not sure if I'd buy this one again.

Looking to repot in spring and begin forming some shari to add visual interest.

 

[berobinson82]

3rd tree progression posted. 3rd time with no response. Thanks for all the fish.

 

[MACH5]

I would start defining and organize your areas of foliage which will also create much needed negative spaces. Right now the outline of the foliage is almost a continuous line all around your tree which makes the tree appear young. When separating your foliage pads keep in mind your horizontal axis at the bottom of each pad. This will give your design a more mature and stable image. Hope this helps.

 

[october]

I think the tree is definitely heading in the right direction. As Mach suggests, creating some space might be good. This might not be as straight forward as it sounds. I would imagine that in person, this tree is not as full as it appears in the pics. Also, this type of foliage can be difficult to manage. Another thing is that you do not want to take too much foliage off.

If it was my tree, here is what I would do. I would first pull the branches in a bit more towards the trunk to create a tighter silhouette. Then, I would raise up the first pad on the left. From there, I would maybe remove foliage in some areas to open things up. If that is even possible. It is tough to say without seeing the tree in person. After all this is done, to create more space, you may want to do some cage wiring. If you are not familiar with cage wiring. It is when you loosely wire growth that has not hardened off yet to put it in the direction/position it needs to be. Sometimes, this is just wiring very small tufts of foliage flat.

Rob

 

[october]

OK. I had some time, so I went back to look at this again. I looked a bit closer at the before pic before wiring. That gave me a better idea what you were working with. Based on that, I did these virts. Let me know if you like this image. One thing I see is that the wiring down of the apex is actually hiding one of the best features of the tree. Right now, it looks like a long bowing trunk and then one little abrupt curve. If you utilize the upper portion of the trunk, it makes the trunk look like it is taller with a couple of subtle curves. Just wiring a small tuft of foliage in front like in my first virt breaks it up a bit, but still allows the features to show. Also, the bottom right branch. It is a bit low for a tree with bunjin like qualities. It might be best to jin it.

Rob