This is one of the few i have worked on over the past week. They were basically shaped in the trunk by winding them around a bamboo stake 2 years ago , then allowed the grow on for that season and the stake removed . This sets the movement into the trunk without damaging the bark as in most cases with wire as they can thicken very quickly being a younger tree .Still basically at the pot plant stage i trimmed off the access foliage/branches  in order to open up the tree and expose the trunk line . From there i removed the needles to assist in the wiring process .With all the unwanted needles out of the way i tip pruned the branches and begin to wire them into position . Because the trunk was pre shaped there is no need to re-wire the trunk . The new apex requires wiring and shaping . This plant is about 5 years old and has been a pot plant from day one . No root work has taken place , so come Winter it will be worked and re-potted into a bonsai pot .This will no doubt slow down the growth to a more compact shoot  and needle length , This plant has been trimmed only from a basic trunk to a shaped trainer , no wire will be placed onto this specimen . I will allow it to run free for another season to thicken up the trunk and branches .Both these plants are typical of nursery stock without the trunk movement allowing a low cost entry level into a quality trainer with a little bit of training and styling .They are basic trainers and one must start somewhere . I intend to do a few experiments with this plant , straightening the trunk into a formal upright  for one  and possibly slashing to trunk to see if the results turn out to be that of an aged Cedar . Can’t hurt but try these things , i don’t plan to kill it just pre age the trunk itself .  . With all these tasks done its onto the next 2 Cedar’s .

 

Cheers Alpineart