What Would You Do With This Shimpaku?

Thomas_J.

I 've been working on this shimpaku since 2002 and I've made the decision that it just isn't doing it for me. The mixture of mostly thin branches with a few thicker ones just eats at me. The problem is I really like shimpaku junipers as I'm sure most people here do.

So the question is, if this were your tree would you keep it as it is, maybe you don't see anything wrong with it? Would you sell it, something I've thought a lot about, or would you restyle it? Do you think there's any chance of a restyle? The crown is full of thin branches and that's what really bothers me.

I've already made my decision and will post it after I've heard a few comments.

I wonder how many think the way I do?

Attached Images

shimp308.JPG (26.4 KB, 187 views)

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Thomas J.

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RedPine

I like the tree, only change I can see that I would make would be the same style/color of pot only alot wider and half as tall. Seeing how the tree is riding high in the current pot i assume this probablly isn't possible. After the pot I would hope the foliage would be able to fill in more, not completley but a bit more..25%..and put a little more movemnt into the branches making up the crown.

Ok, looking again the relationship of the first 2 right side branches is bothersome.At least in the photo one would have to go or the bottom one lowered to reveal it's form and lines. thrid branch on the right side is a little boring in close to the trunk, I just don't like the lack of movment in it, if it could be wired to add more flow to it's line that would help aswell.

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naturesart

I dont see why the crown branches being thin bother you? Usually the top or crown of the tree in nature wood be thinner. From the picture I cant see how thin is thin but it doesnt look so unproportioned. The tree is very nice, I would maybe thin it out a bit and make it a little smaller to evoke the look of an older tree.

naturesart

[QUOTE=RedPine]I like the tree, only change I can see that I would make would be the same style/color of pot only alot wider and half as tall. Seeing how the tree is riding high in the current pot i assume this probablly isn't possible. After the pot I would hope the foliage would be able to fill in more, not completley but a bit more..25%..and put a little more movemnt into the branches making up the crown.[/QU
RedPine, the tree looks pretty full of foliage I cant see through it at all. Well the tree is a little leggy is that what you would like to fill in?

RedPine

[/QU
RedPine, the tree looks pretty full of foliage I cant see through it at all.[/QUOTE] Only at the ends of the branching for the most part, a little more filling in closer to the middle branching would be good.(imo) I like the amount of foliage on the first left side branching, it shows the branch line just enough but hides enough to look natural and adds mystery.

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Thomas_J.

Believe me, you don't want to see this tree shot in daylight with a white background, it will look like a sick dog on it's last leg.

The thin branches make the whole tree look very weak, which it really isn't.
The biggest problem from early on since I had the tree is that the foliage is mostly at the tips.

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RedPine

You have got to be a master photagrapher, it is a very interesting tree in your photo.

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naturesart

Ok, we need more angle shots, would you consider something drastic like Bujin style with some jins? If its not doing it for you, maybe its time to let it go.

Thomas_J.

The biggest thing I learned in photography is when and when not to use light. Sometimes as in this case, the absence of light can be your friend by hiding what you don't want others to see.

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