Needle Juniper needs wise heads

[GavinG]

This is a needle juniper cutting I left in the ground with too little attention - now there are two large opposed branches down low, a sweeping trunk, and little else. Here's the tree, with my three options, none of which I like.

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All opinions welcome. Hope you like the virtual paper and tea-towel Jamie.

Thanks,

Gavin

[Ash Barns]

Based on a 2D view is quite tricky to make decisions. So not fully understanding the true branch structure I would use the lower left hand branch as my new tree, tilting the trunk more upright.

Ash

[Glenda]

I like the second option, taking off the LH branch. JMHO.

Glenda

[Loretta]

Hi Glenda
I like 3 and 4 . I can't come to grips with cutting a whole tree down to a 1/4 of it's size when there are branches that have years on them, obviously I'm not a true minded bonsai-ist at heart yet, I like to maintain as much of the character as I can on a tree. I'm not saying that's right after seeing the transformations these guys on the site have shown me. Maybe I'll become as far sighted as them one day. But 3 and 4 are my pick anyway. How ingenious to use a tea towel, you still get to see a true shape in spite of it, good on you
Loretta

By the way, what does JMHO mean???

[Jarrod]

I think the last option will make a nice semi cascade!

Cheers

[craigw60]

No3 suits me with some carving on the trunks to be removed. Needle juniper are prime species for jin and shari.
Beautiful trunk
Craig

[Pup]

Just My Honest Opinion.

Were this mine I would go for option 3 or 4 . If choosing 3 I would shorten the tree by 1- 3rd.
Choosing 4 I would like Ash has suggested, and stand it up and work with a shohin.

JMHO cheers Pup

[ozzy]

I can't come to grips with cutting a whole tree down to a 1/4 of it's size when there are branches that have years on them, obviously I'm not a true minded bonsai-ist at heart yet,

LOL ... that is a major hurdle to overcome, but overcome it you must otherwise you will only ever have pot plants

[Handy Mick]

Hi Gav,
I would go with the last option, then create a large jin or driftwood effect with most of whats left.
Thats what I would do, with the view I have of this tree, don't worry it's not to bad, it's actually not that bad at all.
Mick

[Grant Bowie]

hi Gavin,

I also would probably go for option 5(Lowest left hand branch) but it would be good to see it in the bark.

Grant

[Jake]

hey gavin

i'd be going with option 4 and training it into a semi cascade, maybe creating some deadwood with the existing trunk hard to decide with the pics



-jake

[Glenda]

When I said option 2, I meant picture 3 with picture 2 being the first option etc. Just to be clear (as mud).

Glenda

[techpetal]

I'm with Ash, use the left as the main trunk, stand it up and maybe keep the low right.

What about this? Oh yeah and air layer the top off rather than waste it!

[Rod]

G`day Gavin, mate I`m not sure if I am seeing the trunk line correctly. If I am I think it could look good tilted over and trained as a semi cascade, you could do some jin and shari work. Just a thought , by the way sorry about the ugly pot.
cheers Rod

[Loretta]

I can't come to grips with cutting a whole tree down to a 1/4 of it's size when there are branches that have years on them, obviously I'm not a true minded bonsai-ist at heart yet,

LOL ... that is a major hurdle to overcome, but overcome it you must otherwise you will only ever have pot plants

I can see that all too clearly Ozzy, just seeing these few virts make my mind boggle. You guys have a totally detached emotion for the tree as it is, but at the same time a true eye for what it can become. I hope I can develop the imagination that can make an ordinary tree into a bonsai. I admire you all, just have to control my fear of ruining a potentially good tree...as I've been told before...easy to cut...hard to replace.
cheers Loretta