First Bigger Tree

Justin

Hello people!

For this project, I think it would be better for me to start with a brief introduction. As the subject says, this is my first big tree. I have never worked with trees taller than 6-7 inches. They were mostly nursery stock which I used to practice on some time back. I used to live in a tropical with sunshine and rain throughout the year. Now that i'm in Sydney, we have the 4 seasons.

I just got this juniper a day ago and I took some pictures of it. I would greatly appreciate some styling ideas and feedback on this tree I chose. It's roughly 14 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Trunk size is about an inch.

Here's a picture of my first choice front view.

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Justin

Same view.

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Justin

Top view.

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Justin

Reverse view.

I might consider this as another front view for this tree. I would most likely chop off the first, lower left branch and create a triangle with the right bush.

Once again, I would really appreciate your thoughts and opinions on this tree. I believe there is alot of potential in this tree and I don't want to waste on it. Thanks in advance!

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FredL

Hi Justin,

I think you've found some pretty promising material. Now please take my comments as strictly one man's opinion and not a very experienced opinion at that.

If it were my tree, I'd take off the right, longer branch - or main trunk, now, and work with the left branch as the new leader. I like its form better than the main trunk and the likelihood of producing pretty good taper by using it.

One of the things that is a problem for me is that when I look at a small tree, I tend to see what could be done in its current size. I see the existing trunk and branches and immediately start seeing images within its current form and size. With your tree, I am troubled by what appears to be reverse taper on the right side and the long, straight trunk that exists on that side. The left branch, though a longer project, would ultimately prove to have much greater potential, I think.

Regards, Fred

Bonsainut

Now choose some branches!

trim,

And wire!

Go shopping and repeat as often as needed.

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Lethal Use of Farce

bayoucity1

We seem to have bought almost the same tree. This was my first victim ever, a 5 gallon juniper "parsonii" that I picked up for 5 bucks. Based on your photos we wound up with some very similar geometry, with the notable difference that I've left an additional lower limb on. When I saw your post I thought to myself "Hey, who cut of my tree's lower limb?"

You can see some other before and after shots here of mine here I'll include the most recent photo here, and I'll also post a masked photo in case anyone feels like doing virts:

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dbz12fan

I think you have done a lot on that tree bayou but i would reccoment only using one of those three branches. The other two should be cut off. I see a cascade possibility, but I would use the top lefthand branch probably and make it into a literati (with a lot of wiring of course). I am sure you could find an example of a literati bonsai somewhere around here. Do a search in the virtual museum and there should be some to take an example of.

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Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

Justin

Thanks for all the replies guys!

I have yet to decide which path to take styling my tree. So far, all the feedback has been pretty much the same - to work on the brunch with less foliage.

What do you guys think if I don't chop off any branches? Perhaps moyogi (informal upright) with some extensive wiring on the main branch? (Look at the first picture)

Keep those replies coming in. I might start working on this tree in a day or 2. Thanks people!