Stake removed from heart of Procumbens Juniper,Help!

Lesley

I acquired this tree last year from a small family garden store and the trunk was twisted around a wooden stake. I removed it and the vampire didn't die! So, I tried to decrease the spiral with wire and I pruned some. Now, I'm lost as to how to style it! Should I go with the spiral or chop the trunk down?
Thanks, Lesley =('):

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IMG_3981.jpg (56.2 KB, 97 views)

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cbobgo

maybe if you posted a pic we could give you some advice. It's hard to help you if we can't see your tree.

- bob

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BonsaiGreenhorn

Pictures would help out some here, if you're able to. If its the spiral i'm thinking, maybe a trunk chop. But lets see some pics!!!

-Evan

EDIT: beat me to it cbobgo.lol

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Lesley

Sorry guys! I had some sizing problems! Thanks!

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Carl_Bergstrom

Lesley,

That sure doesn't look like a shimpaku to me. Procumbens, maybe?

-Carl

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Lesley

Sorry Carl! Your right. I think I'm getting rummy up at 5A today!

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DavidN

Lesley,
This is how almost all Procumben junipers are mass prodcuced for the bonsai market here is Australia. I would recommend you work with the curving trunk and create the standard informal upright you see alot of around the place. I don't find anything wrong with that style or the tree. You will need to reduce the height.
Since it is spring or fast appraoching spring time for you I would find where the base of the trunk is first and decide on where the height of the tree will be. I would remove the unwanted top when I have decided my final height and apex and then will style and wire the tree. I don't usually repot at the same time but wait until the following year, unless it is terrible soil or root bound. But that is just me.

You'll have a nice little tree there.
David

Robert Kaminski

Lesley,

I too have a pronumben that had a stake which trained the tree in a twisting motion. In March, I reduced the height of my juniper to style the tree that I felt comfortable with. I believe your's has natural taper which in most case is not comon among most evergreeen's...which is good. What I would do, is find a new leader where the major bend is to the right (cut off the rest), then jin the lowest branch to the left to compliment the existing skeleton branch to the right. However, I see your in the same dilielma as I am with a dominant/thick branch half way up the tree. The branch half way up to left has to be thinned out and reduced in length to give an overall better form to the composition of the tree. Just my thoughts, best of luck. Rob

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