Juniper squamata styling and help

[shibui]

Which branches to keep will depend a lot on whether they are forward or back. That's something it is hard to assess from a 2D photo. I'm trying to get a good picture from your above shot but still can't seem to see it properly in my mind. Much easier to see the tree in front of you so i am hestitant to say definitively which branches to leave and which to remove.

We often keep too many branches too close together for a start. As they develop a bit it becomes obvious they are too close together and easier to cut some more off. In bonsai less is often more.

I think you may be correct about removing the lowest left branch. Some space there would be good and it is very close to the one above.

I don't think you have the option with the next one up. Try keeping both the second layer but bend the right one backward (and maybe down a little?) to fill in the rear of the tree, at least for now.
When you bend the branches you'll probably find there's way too many secondary side branches and they get too crowded. Easy fix with the scissors - take out a fey of the side branches.

I think the branches may be a bit too long for that little trunk but it has probably had enough fiddling for now. Junipers don't like too much done at one time so it would probably be best to set it aside for a few months to rest and recover before any further major work.

[jessepap]

I agree the branches seem way too long. I thought after I shortened some a little I would leave that for later.

So I understand correctly and am taking about the same branches I'm thinking this might work in my mark up.

Red chopped off then the middle right blue bent back and downward.

The left side of the tree will have a fair amount of space from bottom to top is this ok? I would probably then bend the first left branch down I would assume?

[shibui]

How will the left side have a fair amount of space? It looks like the other left branch is almost right on to of the one marked red to be removed.
If I've picked that wrong then we need to reconsider - problems of working from photos instead of seeing it for real.
Branch circle in black should easily replace red branch for removal? Yes, it would probably be angled down just a little but not too far. We don't want to replace one bar branch with another growing from above. The visual weight of the foliage mass is just as important as where it grows from.
Bend it a little forward if it is growing toward the back at the moment.

jesse.PNG

Your blue mark is definitely the one I would use for the back but, again, I'm just trying to visulaise 3D from a couple of 2D photos. Always make sure it will work before blindly following gratuitous and possibly ill informed advice.

[jessepap]

I had a really good look at the tree today and I now can see with removing the branch in red yes it creates space however that would be filled so to speak by bending the branch above slightly down as you say.

At the moment its almost like the two branches are connected and it doesn't look right. I am going to remove the bottom left branch.

Shibui if it were your tree would you only remove the suggested left bar brach at this point?

[shibui]

Bear in mind that I can only see the photos. I can't turn this tree round to see the other sides and get a good look at its 3D bends and exactly where each of the branches starts and goes to. You can see all that and more. You are also the one who will need to look at it every day, not me.

We tend to leave way too many branches and too much foliage on young trees thinking that removing some would leave spaces. Reality is the spaces are valuable in bonsai. A common saying in the past was to design bonsai with 'spaces for the birds and butterflies'. After removing some branches the remaining ones grow and develop better and soon fill the spaces. After cutting that red marked one I think you will wonder why you ever had any doubt.

This is a juniper. They have a reputation for reacting badly to loss of too much foliage at one time. I can understand your eagerness to 'finish' this tree. We have all felt that. One of the best lessons of bonsai is patience. Look at the long term rather than 'now'. There is plenty more to do with this tree and many would rush in and do it now but I would prefer to take some time. After removing that next branch let the tree rest and recover for a coupe of months at least. Practice your bonsai care - watering and fertilising. There is no point in learning how to make great bonsai unless you can reliably keep them alive and healthy long term. If you really really need to do something else get another tree(s) to play with while this one rests.
In other words, I would only remove that left branch for now.

[jessepap]

So I took off the branch and as soon as I made the cut I was happy and knew it was the best call. It looks so much better and less crowded.

My wiring needs alot of work I think I will need to re wire all branches once the tree recovers as it looks very rough and not quite right. But good learning.

Not now totally sure about the top but I think it's time to sit back and let it recover as advised for a while.

Pics. Can you get a better feel now for the shape?

[jessepap]

Quick update. Seems to be growing well.
There are some nice new buds on the tree BUT.

In a few spots I hope you can see there are some weird things on some of the tips of branches. They have almost died off and stopped growing. But not over the entire tree. Is this some sort of shock given I took off a lot of foliage? Curious as to what this might mean. Pics attached.

[bki]

IT should be the die-back where you cut the foliage or maybe it is overwatered. watch out for growth on the junctions of the branches.

[jessepap]

IT should be the die-back where you cut the foliage or maybe it is overwatered. watch out for growth on the junctions of the branches.

i should say these areas are on the tips which i have not pruned... almost looks like something has eaten?!?! i am not sure

[shibui]

Definitely looks like something has pruned or cut those tips. I don't know anything that eats juniper foliage but maybe there's a very hungry caterpillar somewhere? Try checking after dark with a torch and see if you can surprise it in the act.
Having a few tips cut will not hurt your juniper. It is probably a good thing as the tree will usually respond with more shoots on the branches. Just watch that it does not get too much worse.