Juniper Suggestions And Help?

jloeschner

Wow, I didn't expect so many replies so fast! Would it be OK to work on the tree after dark? I usually do not get off of work until 7:00 pm, so by the time I get out of my work clothes, etc, it is dark. I know that sounds like a very supid question, but I if I don't ask, I won't know, so...Anyway, thanks everyone!!

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jloeschner

OK, I have pinched about a ton of new growth and some "cluttered" foliage, as well. It still looks, well, bushy, but I am still not sure how much I can trim at this time. At least now you can see the trunk and branch lines fairly well. I also used a black backdrop for the photos, but my lighting was poor, so the pics did not turn out as well as I had hoped. If someone could suggest how much more I could safely remove right now, I would be most grateful. For instance, should I go ahead and take off the small "twig" branches at the trunk base? I probed around some, but the roots are pretty much to the soil line, so I don't think I could uncover much. There is also a ton of very thin, hair-like roots all over the place, and if I disturb the soil too much, I end up breaking them. Once again, thank you all for your help and advice.

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jloeschner

Ooops, the first two actually have light backgrounds. Sorry...

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Master-S.T-

well..with your more recent picture we all can see what you are workign with beter..so for this i thank you...but now i need to know is ..what style do u think you would liek to attempt with this tree...and
Get some more books...any would help..
I sugest the sunset or bonsai workshop...
And they will help a great deal...but untill you have some Good amount of time reading ...just allowing the tree to sit back and grow wont hurt a thing..
so what style would u liek to approch..or is there a pic of a juniper that cought your eye that u were thinkin about trying to make a slight copy of the design?

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jloeschner

Next...

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jloeschner

I have always had an affinity for the informal uprights and semi-cascades. I also like some of the windswepts, as well. The only style I don't really care for a lot is the cascade. Of course, there are exceptions to that "rule," just like anything else.
As for this tree, I am kind of torn between a informal upright and a semi-cascade. However, since both of the larger side branches seem to be growing in the same direction as the main trunk, I don't know if that is feasible. If I go with the informal upright, the lower branches would have to go, but can I take them off at this time of the year and not kill the tree?
Here is the black background I spoke of earlier...

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jloeschner

As for book reading and research, I have read so much in the past few weeks that it has all begun to mix and scramble in my brain. It seems that no two authors agree about any one subject, except the basic "rules." Some of them don't even agree with those! I have also read MANY of the posts in this forum and tried to glean as much from everybody as I could before I actually bought this tree. Of course, as soon as I sat down to actually begin working on it, my mind just went blank. Since the books I have read were all library books, and the one that I ordered has not arrived yet, I decided to turn here for help. It's not that I don't remember the things I have read, I just can't seem to make up my mind about which to follow. I almost feel like I have started a strange new job in a strange country of which I don't know the language, and NOBODY speaks my language!

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washout03

You could probably bend this tree down into a respectabale cascade, or cut it shorter into a semi cascade. I guess you could also make it into a windswept style. This tree has a lot of options, its a good one to practice on.
Good luck,
Tom

washout03

By the way, if you are interested in a formal or informal upright style, I recomend a black hills spruce. The needles are small, and mostly compact. I recently picked one up and it responded very well to styling. At the moment it has a slight bend at the trunk, but I am thinking about straightening it into a formal upright next summer.