Needle Juniper

[Leigh Taafe]

Here is a collected one - it is in a 14 (or 16) inch tub and has been cut down to about 1.5m from top of soil. I have dug more that are way bigger and fatter at the base than this. It is too dark now to go and measure the tree, but you get the idea.

[Mitchell]

How old would that one be? Was it chopped down, any rings visible?

[Mitchell]

Perhaps I could put a bit of movement into the first and top sections by removing wedges and produce a cascade?

[Leigh Taafe]

This one is estimated at around 40 years old.

[Jarrod]

I wouldn't cut wedges mate. You can hollow out the heart wood in other ways.

Cheers

[Mitchell]

Started a shari up the trunk tonight. The aim is to remove the slight, inverse taper to the trunk and the bulge at the first branching point.
I think I am going for a Lit, albeit a big one. The finished position will be more upright than at the moment.

I plan on widening the shari once a year.

[Mitchell]

Part of the reason for creating the shari, was to undermine the trunks structure so I could begin putting some movement into the straight section of trunk.

Strapped with jute webbing, bound with wire ,then a second layer of wire was put on to stop the first shifting whilst bending. The turn buckle will be reset with another when I have reached its max, as I intend on trying to get a far bit of movement going on.

After the Shari this is probably not the best plan of action due to stress, but I was sick of staring at the straight trunk section.