bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Shimpaku Juniper

The flaking bark of California and Shimpaku juniper is often stripped for display. Some people like the look of shaggy bark, others feel the smooth reddish color of the underbark is more desireable.

It does take some experimentation and practice to get it right. Rather than start straight in with a wire brush wheel on a power tool, it's probably a good idea to geth the feel of using hand tools and understand how deeply you can brush it before the cambium starts to come up. I would suggest you begin with a tree other than your "masterpiece" to learn with, and the tree should be very healthy.

Transplant time might not be the best time to do the bark strip as the rough outer bark does help insulate the tree and reduce moisture loss.

Soak the trunk thoroughly. You can use cloths soaked in lukewarm water or just keep spraying the trunk every couple hours until the bark starts to get saturated. It will become more soft at that point.

Next, in the direction of the grain, using a wire brush, scrub away at the rough outer bark, and it should start to come away in strips. You will know when you get to the right point, because the shiny red underbark will come up. Just beneath that is a layer of cambium, green and white beneath. If you scrub much past the green you will be damaging the tree, so work slowly and take breaks to look the tree over.

Here in California, we pot do transplant Juniper in the fall, but it is a good idea to keep the soil from freezing any time after a transplant. If, for you zone, that would suggest that spring is a better time, do it then.

Regards,

Matt

21-Jul-2002	#4
TreeBay Tips:5¢ Advice:Free *MODERATOR GROUP* Join Date: Aug-2001 Location: Silicon Valley Country: USA USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 9,742	The flaking bark of California and Shimpaku juniper is often stripped for display. Some people like the look of shaggy bark, others feel the smooth reddish color of the underbark is more desireable. It does take some experimentation and practice to get it right. Rather than start straight in with a wire brush wheel on a power tool, it's probably a good idea to geth the feel of using hand tools and understand how deeply you can brush it before the cambium starts to come up. I would suggest you begin with a tree other than your "masterpiece" to learn with, and the tree should be very healthy. Transplant time might not be the best time to do the bark strip as the rough outer bark does help insulate the tree and reduce moisture loss. Soak the trunk thoroughly. You can use cloths soaked in lukewarm water or just keep spraying the trunk every couple hours until the bark starts to get saturated. It will become more soft at that point. Next, in the direction of the grain, using a wire brush, scrub away at the rough outer bark, and it should start to come away in strips. You will know when you get to the right point, because the shiny red underbark will come up. Just beneath that is a layer of cambium, green and white beneath. If you scrub much past the green you will be damaging the tree, so work slowly and take breaks to look the tree over. Here in California, we pot do transplant Juniper in the fall, but it is a good idea to keep the soil from freezing any time after a transplant. If, for you zone, that would suggest that spring is a better time, do it then. Regards, Matt __________________ Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today! bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!