My Second Bonsai Tree

Daniel

This is my second tree. I bought my first one 4 weeks ago. Since then I've removed 90% of it's mass, put it in a nice bonsai pot and then took it out of the pot and stuck it in the ground to try and grow some branches back to repair the damage It doesn't look to bad though.


Anyway, this my second tree, a juniper. I don't know much than that except it's 8 years old. Can you tell me about my tree?

a) What style is it? I can't seem to fit it into the formal upright/cascade/windswept styles I've seen.

b) What should I do with it? Should I make changes? Can you suggest some? Virtuals maybe? My Naka's I and II will be here in 1 week.

c) Can you tell me more about the species maybe? I know only that it is a juniper.

d) What about the roots. Do they look healthy? That's what caused me to buy it. They really fill the pot, and some of them stick out of the ground. I heard that was good.

e) What about the pot? It looks okay but I don't think it's all that great. I have to water this tree EVERYday. I think the pot is the reason. Better pot suggestions?

f) Finally, what is a good price for this tree? I'm curious what you think I should pay for the tree and the pot. It also came with a bed of small white rocks on the bottom there, but I took them out. Generally a good idea, removing the rocks?

Alright, I'd love for some of you to tackle some of these. Especially b) What should I do with it? and f) How much is this tree worth US $ - wise?

Thanks in advance, I look forward to any responses! I'm not gonna touch this tree until my Naka's books come in the mail (america to korea takes 2 weeks) but I want to start getting a feel for my tree's personality right away.

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Daniel

Another picture of the front. I wonder which of these slightly different angles is best for now? One shows more branches, but with less of a rounded shape in the 'crown'. The other shows a really round crown that covers almost all the branches.

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Daniel

A shot of the top of the tree

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Daniel

Sorry, the top came twice. Can I delete? I don't see how..

Finally, a shot of the roots. I like these roots, but I really don't know why. I'm as new as they get to bonsai and plants altogether.

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LivingArt

clikc on edit and theres a box at the top for delete

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Daniel

Does the styling on this tree appear to be complete?

What is a good price to pay for this tree and pot?

TreeBay

This is a healthy juniper styled in a broom, which is a rather unique style for junipers, but this one seems to carry it off, okay.

The styling of a bonsai is never really complete. In the short term, they need seasonal care (pruning, thinning, pinching) and in the long term, the tree will change, necessitating some design changes, which may be minor or radical. Even with a tree that is mature, the design is a plan and changes are always at work to help realize that plan.

This tree has a recognizable style (broom) but that style is typically one seen in deciduous trees. However, some styling is usually better than none! The price of the tree would depend on the source and the market, so I couldn't say specifically what you might expect to pay for it.

That pot, though is priceless. I think I can honestly say I have never seen anything quite like it in my life. This one looks kind of pre-Columbian, maybe a Mayan Bowl, or perhaps a vessel used to make blood sacrifices to Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent God of the Aztec.

It seems somehow sacrilegious to plant a bonsai in it.

Regards,

Matt

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David Chauvin

Daniel,

"Does the styling on this tree appear to be complete?"

If it were mine, no. Junipers are not usually styled as brooms, but if you like it that way, enjoy it while
you get a feel for the possibilities this tree offers. Don't make any major moves until you have a goal in
mind as this seems to be pretty good material, especially for a beginner. IMHO, junipers
are the best material for learning bonsai techniques.

"What is a good price to pay for this tree and pot?"

What kind of tree is it? Shimpaku? If so, in the U.S. a tree of this size might be worth several hundred dollars.
I don't like the pot at all. Save it for a nice houseplant. It dwarfs the tree and the color and shape are not
complementary. The Naka books will give you a better idea on traditional potting guidelines.

BTW, that's the biggest can of pepsi I've ever seen!

Good Luck,

David

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Daniel

Thank you so much for the replies. It really means a lot to hear what the experts have to say about my material. Definately inspirational.

Treebay, thank you for your contextual analysis of the pot. That's very interesting to think about.

The tree, and the pot, were bought here in Korea. Maybe that is why you have not seen anything like it where you are at.

I will wait for my Naka's books before doing any styling, but it's interesting to know that junipers are not usually in the broom style. I will definately think about what other style this tree might become.

I paid $25 (USD) for the pot and tree in Korea. I thought it was a good deal. I wanted to get a feeling for how much it would cost in America or Europe so I could verify that.


If anyone has any website links I could read before my Naka's books come in, I'd love some reading material on how to choose my style. How does one choose what style the tree should become? It seems very difficult to me. I can't quite get the images in my head.