Advice for a newbie

[Ryszil]

Hi all,

I had this posted in the cafe and realised I should probably be asking here for advice so here goes. *** edit, I retook the photos, sorry guys they were fine on my computer

I have 3 trees at the moment that live outside and get watered (and now recently) misted each day.

The first tree I got is this juniper I bought pretty much as is from a nursery

Juniper 180909.JPG

Juniper 180909.JPG

Juniper3 180909.JPG

It was mentioned that it is looking a bit leggy (something that never occurred to me until then, I guess I just thought about it growing up and now out). I guess I have probably been pinching out a bit too much. It seems healthy enough though with lots of new growth.

I also have this japanese cedar (?)

J_Cedar 180909.JPG

J-cedar2 180909.JPG

J-cedar3 180909.JPG

J-cedar4 180909.JPG

I got this thinking there was plenty to do (perfect for a week off work). I had read a bit before hand and watched lots of youtube videos but once I started I realised I really have no idea where to go. I hope I haven't made any drastic errors here already. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated, sorry I'm not being more specific I guess I was thinking of an informal upright maybe?

And finally this chinese elm

C_Elm 180909.JPG

C_Elm2 180909.JPG

c_elm3 180907.jpg

This I was thinking of leaving alone for a while and just cutting back here and there to maintain shape. I havent cut anything yet, I read or saw somewhere to wait until there is some hardened wood and then cut just past the leaves.

I guess one of the issues I find is that most of the pictures and videos I have seen so far show much more developed trees and I find it difficult to visualise what mine can become at my level of experience. Sorry if I am asking questions that has been asked a thousand times already. I am reading this forum as much as possible but it can be a little difficult to get enough time with the kids. I have enquired about joining a club but cant attend the meetings at least for the foreseeable future. I am looking into a beginners workshop in a couple of weeks.

Thanks again guys for any help

[tgward]

difficult to see with photos sideways---also remember trees are 3d and need a variety of back and occasionally front branches-spend some time finding info on branch placement somewhere here or on the net.