Procumbens

[thumblessprimate1]

Here's a juniper that I start working on last winter. I did a little pruning then to open it up, and I may have done a trunk chop on it. From the looks of the wound that's starting to heal, it looks like I personally did the chop. Anyways I'd like for it to heal over if that's possible.

My goal is to let it develop mature foliage and branches that I would use to replace some of the present branches that are awkward. There are also flaws and other challenges that I'll have to work on like the wound, a possible jin from the large stub and strange direction of the upper portion from one of it's side. About that upper portion (see image4), would you think that as more branches and foliage grow out it'll look better or is it something that needs to be remedied sooner than later?

 

[thumblessprimate1]

A few more pics of other sides and close ups.

 

[edprocoat]

So, you are not sure if you chopped the trunk ?

ed

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Yeah. As stupid as that sounds, I don't remember. I can't remember why I had removed that portion. Either I had a good reason or made a cut that I didn't think through. Another possibility is early juvenile dementia.

 

[Vin]

On a side note, I'm not criticizing your tree but I have a few of these. I call them my Seesaw Trees because all I do is tilt them from one side to the other hoping to see a tree in there somewhere. Still can't find one in any of mine... Good luck!

 

[october]

The last pic in the first post should be the front. It has nice branch placement and the trunk leans, in a subtle way, towards the viewer. You should leave this tree alone for 1 year. It needs to get strong before being touched. If you let this tree grow on it's own for a year or more, you will end up with a nice little tree.

Imo, this pic is the front.

Rob

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Thanks Rob! I'll soak in the advice you have given me.

 

[sikadelic]

I have one procumbens I have taken a liking to. The other two, well, I dont know what in the hell im gonna do with them. I'd snap a few pics but its raining like a cow peeing on a flat rock right now.

The pic below is one at the beginning of the growing season and it's much more bushy now. It's due for some wire...thanks for the reminder!

 

[Paulkellum]

Its my least favorite of the junipers yet like most Iv got a few. Iv got one I have styled the other 2 are in flower bed somewhere in a box. Here is a before and after. I agree with october that is a good front to develop that tree.

 

[Vance Wood]

I think what you need to do now is know when to quite trying to make this tree do something. It needs to rest and to grow. You need to let it grow out and start working on developing some secondary branching. You need to concentrate on the fertilizer and the developing the new growth. If once you get the tree cooking again then you can start making some more and different, if need be, styling decisions. The lesson you are trying to learn at this point is knowing when what you are doing is starting to work contrary to your decisions to have a living plant survive those decisions. You don't really learn much if when you are done doing what ever it is you are doing--- the tree dies.

I'm just trying to be realistic with you. You have taken this tree about as far as it can be taken with a reasonable chance of survival.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Thank you, Vance et al. for taking the time to look and to give me advice. Much appreciated!

 

[Vance Wood]

Thank you, Vance et al. for taking the time to look and to give me advice. Much appreciated!

No problem. Procumbens Junipers are a bit fussy. With as much as you have removed, it could take two seasons to start growing properly again so give it time.