Juniper pingii - some ideas and questions..

[ben17487]

Hi guys, I have had this tree for a little while now and I've been considering doing an air layer to reduce its size and make it a more dramatic tree.. Just wanted to get some opinions and advise.
I think the trunk is two thin for its current foliage and I wanted to make the tree look like it's been damaged in a storm just leaving the foliage on the right to fill out and expand over the next few years.

So my questions are; is it too late in spring to air layer the tree?
Will it affect the trees health too much busy taking off that amount of foliage?

I've also had a few branches rust randomly die off, shown in photo 4. Not sure if it's common or if it's due to wiring I've done and damaged the branch during removal..

Image 1 is the tree at present.


Image 2 shows the branches I'm planning on keeping. Just the 3 to the right,


Image 3 shows the area to be air layered


Image 4 is an example of a branch that dying off..


Looking forward to your opinions
Thank you!

[bonsaisensation]

Hi ben17487
Before you attempt to air layer, you might want to make sure that the three branches you intended to keep are perfectly healthy. The dying branches are fungal infection and as far as I am aware off, there is no treatment. You can spray copper based fungicide to slow it down from spreading to other branches. But as for those that are infected, cut them off right away. They ain't coming back.
I personally would not try to airlayer the branch but turn them into Jins instead. They will add more drama to the tree.



Regards


Tien

[Watto]

I think Tien is on the money. The air layer is not worth it, but good exaggerated jin and shari are worth their weight in gold. While the jins are "fresh" you can shape them as you please which is also a bonus.

[ben17487]

Thank you for your advice guys, any suggestions on how to make best use of any branches for jins or would you need some more photos to see the tree?
a little worried about the fungal infection though, i have removed the few branches that were dead. but there are a few tips on healthy branches that seem to be browning off...

cheers!

[ben17487]

Also a question on forming Jins...
Do i just strip the branch down to the cambium and then wire to shape?
Ive seen people flaming the wood after stripping it, what does that achieve?

Cheers

[Shane Martin]

Also a question on forming Jins...
Do i just strip the branch down to the cambium and then wire to shape?
Ive seen people flaming the wood after stripping it, what does that achieve?

Cheers

It heats the sap and when its fully cooled it should hold the new shape. Ive not tried it myself but seen it done on an overseas video.
A pretty advanced technique I think.... maybe try it on some throw away juniper first.

[ben17487]

Hey guys, so I've been treating the tree for 'phoma' for a few weeks now.. The branches that have been dying off seem to have new growth, not sure if it means the treatment is effective but I'll keep it up and hope for goo results..

I have noticed something that was a bit concerning though and wanted to get some of your knowledge on what they could be..
There are small white pockets or growths on some of the needles with a tan/yellow dot near the centre. I am assuming these are some form of parasitic eggs? Does anyone know specifically what they are and could they be the cause of the branch die-off?

I've attached some photos, which aren't very clear, but hopefully you can see the culprits. I found some larger ones earlier but removed them before getting a photo...





Thanks guys

Ben

[ben17487]

A slight update on this tree, I did some re-wiring of the branches I plan to keep. I'm procrastinating on a decision to remove most of the upper branching, but I still plan to do it.
I just can't visualize a way to incorporate any of the existing branches into Jin, they're all a little too far away from the design I have in mind and might not be possible to bend them into shape.
I'll sit on it for a while longer in the hope that an idea will emerge. I may not use them at all..

So when the time comes I'll adjust the angle of everything to suit the new design.

I'll also do a sketch of the intended design when I have a spare minute

Happy for some feedback on wiring and branch placement

Image1459412954.308945.jpg

Before 1

Image1459412990.490198.jpg

Before 2

Image1459413025.775465.jpg

After 1

Image1459413057.382842.jpg

After 2

[ben17487]

Well... I decided spontaneously at 6pm last night I should just go with what I had been considering over the last 6 or so months and started chopping and stripping branches.
I think I'm glad I did, it's opened up some new ideas and character to the tree and will reduce the height and trunk thickness issue I wasn't happy with.

I wanted to query some of you about which front might work best before I go placing branches and setting a planting angle.

Keep in mind almost nothing is in place at the moment









https://vimeo.com/179036214

Open to any ideas and criticisms!!

Thanks very much

[Pearcy001]

I like photo 2 with a slanted style to the right. I think it gives a more natural trunk movement while showing the Jin and Shari.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

[ben17487]

Thanks pearcy, that one caught my eye too.
I could bring the apex a bit lower to allow the Jin at the back to rise through the top.

Cheers!

[ben17487]

Just did this scribble at work of what I was thinking...

[ben17487]

Wired!
Has a lot of areas that need to grow to fill gaps and complete the intended shape.

https://vimeo.com/179303796