I need a critique - Needle Juniper

[Bretts]

My question is why it is recommended to stay away from Junis with any scissors and use finger pinching only when it comes to shortening new growth

My understanding here is why I came to the above understanding. On older growth you can easily cut the branch without cutting into the leaves but it is much harder to aviod the leaves on the new growing tips.

[Pup]

My question is why it is recommended to stay away from Junis with any scissors and use finger pinching only when it comes to shortening new growth

My understanding here is why I came to the above understanding. On older growth you can easily cut the branch without cutting into the leaves but it is much harder to aviod the leaves on the new growing tips.

That is why you pinch before they get to that stage, then it is not so pointy. For those delicate little pinkys.

[Leigh Taafe]

Yep - I pinch new growth - then I thin out with scissors, only cutting into older developed wood.

I think other may not bother with pinching new growth and use a scissor to cut the new growth - but cutting back into older wood where the new growth has come from. I tend to keep my junis in fairly good order all year - this is mainly due to the business I am in, as the trees kind of need to be kept looking good all year round.

Cheers,
Leigh.

[BoNZai]

Thanks for your explanations and help guys

BoNZai

[Jamie]

this one was a little bit of a challenge to me as i think the tree is quite nice the way it is, but i think with openning it up some and a slight change of angle it will work well

leigh taafe needle juniper.jpg

thoughts?

[craigw60]

Giday Jamie the branch placement in your virt is good but I reckon the branches are too long. Leighs tree has quite a thin trunk and long branches tend to emphasize this feature. If you put some really short branches on it the trunk will appear more powerful.
Craig

[Jamie]

gday craig

this is a good point, shortening branches of a taller tree can make the tree look more powerful, but what about an elegant looking tree? which i beleive this one could be, it is a hard subject to work on really, but everythin g must be taken into account, when i first looked at this tree the only thing i thought it really needed was the apex taken down a little, i liked it as is, the virt was to spur on some discussion on it, i have tilted the trunk angle and removed a couple of branches opening it up some creating negative space, i think it became more elegant like that where as if it was kept as is with the apex brought down a little in height it could stay a powerful tree!


jamie

[chrisatrocky]

getting back to this tree, if you thin out the foilage considerably, and wired the branches on a 45 degree angle to the trunk in a downward direction, keeping them strait and sure. they then would compliment the trunk. and it would get rid of the pom-pom as some one else mentioned. at the moment you have a strong and true trunk which looks as though there are arms sticking out each side so it can keep balance. the downward pointing branches indicate they are heavy and drooping which need to be supported by a strong upright trunk. just try it and see.

I prefer pinching rather than cutting only because you don't get that sharp edge with pinching. and why it doesn't go brown when pinched is because you don't damage the leaflets (scale like structures) which for the needles where as scissors do.

chris

[Rod]

G`day Leigh . I think this is a great looking tree ,it has an elegant trunk line and branch structure. The only changes I would make would be , lowering the apex to lose the pompom look. I would also open the foliage pads . I have done a virt to show what I am thinking, I also would pot it in a more shallow oval pot. Cheers Rod....

needle jun.png

[Leigh Taafe]

Nice virt Rod.

To all - thanks for your input - its good to have discussion like this.

[Andrew Legg]

Hey Rod,

I really like what you have done there! Transforms the tree from something "contrived" (and I mean that positively ) into something that looks 95% natural. Overall, a really positive change. Making this step is the one I struggle with most - contrived to natural lookin'. Gotta give it space for the birds to fly through!

[Rod]

Thanks Andrew . I think it helps showing the secondary branches, it lightens the composition especially on a tall slender tree.
Cheers Rod...

[Leigh Taafe]

Hi guys,

I will be getting around to restyling this tree soon. It needs a repot, then I will let it rest for a while. Rod's virt is brilliant and helps me look at this tree in a way that I have tried to base alot of my recent styling on. I dont like the way this tree has been styled in an unnatural bonsai fashion with the dreaded left back right scenario. I have allowed the tree to "boof" up anit over the last year and gain vigour for its impending root prune. This has also allowed me to open my mind to a restyle as there is more foliage to work with.

Cheers,
Leigh.