New Juniper

[Laurie J]

Hi everyone,

Another really new person question. I had a Bonsai class last night and it got me all pumped to try and see what I can do with one of the two stock plants I had sitting at home. I've basically just cut back to the main branches, but am lost as to where to go from here. I won't be wiring it for another few weeks when I find what gauge wire I need at the club. Any ideas?

[MoGanic]

Hi there,

I was in a very similar position a while ago, heres the link:

viewtopic.php?t=13343

Regards,
Mo

[kcpoole]

Good onya This can be a nice tree.
for an idea of what's possible check my comp tree here viewtopic.php?f=148&t=15049&p=154025


This tree is typical untrained stock and the first thing is to look at what you have, eg its age, size and and what variety the tree is. What are its growing habits, to determine where it might end up.
Also your own tree style comes into play as no point in designing a tree if you do not like the style.
The pictures do not really show the size of the trunks, but assume the bottom of the trunk might be thumb size?

when I start with this, first this i do is determine the trunk line already in place and is it usable as is or do you have to modify it substantially ( Bending, reduction, carving etc)
Then what branching is present. Is it usable with your selected trunk line or do you have to Bend them, Move them, delete them does the tree back shoot allowing you to grow new branches or would you have to graft them on?

is the foliage already usable or will you have to grow new foliage? Again will the tree back shoot to allow it or will it need grafting.

As this is Juniper Chinesis, you may get back shooting, (particularly in the junctions of branches) but relying on that is a mistake . You can graft in new branches but that will take 2 years anyway so is it worthwhile?

the foliage it at the end of most of the branches, so your realistic option is to bend the branches severely to bring the foliage back into the middle of the tree.

The virt shows what i perceive the trunk line and branching to be used.
Can you pick any others?
Tile the tree over and rotate it slowly while looking the trunk and branching and sketch out the single line of the trunk and some branching and see what you can see? ( ignore the foliage at first)

The branches as numbered will be what I would keep and use, but No4 might become the apex instead of the smaller shoot.

Ken

[Laurie J]

Thank you so much for your reply. Mine is very similar to yours. After looking at the tree I'm wondering if the "branch 3" will work. It is very forward facing and I am not sure if it will work with the front being there.

Here's my idea:


The reason I'm worried about the placement of the other branch:


Here's a size comparison:


Thanks again!

[kcpoole]

That is hard thing about diong this vi photos as its really hard to see what is going where
not being able to feel the tree myself it is hard to jusdge actallly how faor you can bend but going by past experiences you shodu be able to get close if you use raffia and wire well.

Working with your trunkline, Can we use Branch #3 as a front low branch?
Shown in my virt as almost coming back to the trunk and then back out to the terminal foliage.

I have cut off Branch #1 outside the small branch on it, and use this to bend back on itself to bring foliage in? this gives taper in the branch and it will be easier to put into position, but will lose the diameter of the larger branch section. Might be this be doable?

Branch 2 I have shown removed, but may be better to keep as a left / Back branch? Raffia, wire well an then bend like a pretzel to get the foliage in to the void between the 1st branch and apex?

Ken

[Laurie J]

I think that'll work! I'll keep you updated, really excited about this one

[kcpoole]

Sweet
Should be fun to watch too, so have fun

Just remeber to wrap all in Raffia, I woud use 2 layers on the trunk and 1 on the slighlty smaller branches. If if the branch is too soft to wrap easily. then you can just wire only

Ken