AusBonsai

I picked up this little juniper recently among some other stock from Shane M (top bloke!). I really like juniper but my styling of them leaves something to be desired. Practice leads to improvement though right?

I am going slowly with this one as I really like the trunk and although it is small, it has some age on it. This morning I thinned out the tree a little, applied raffia to the main branch and wire to the two first two branches. I am aiming for a tree that flows to the right, possible a semi cascade.

Now my question is, regarding the 2nd branch on the left do I
A) Shorten it further (with bends and have it fill out the left side of the tree. This would mean using one of the branches from the top of the main trunk as a future apex.
B) Twist and bend the left branch up to become the apex of the tree.

Both seem possibilities to me but I am hoping for more experienced insight

Thanks in advance. Dan

At the start of trimming.


Trunk.


Beginning to style.


From above.

I would consider removing the one to the left entirely
it flows away from your chosen direction.

Ken

I was with you ken and went out to cut it off. I couldn't bring myself to do it though

I am trying this, just for now. I have left the other possible apexes there until I know for sure that this branch has survived, if not then no biggy, I can jin it and go with what I would have done anyway. There was a crack but It seems to have just caused a small lengthways split though so

With the branch made into an trunk/apex like this the branchlets (future branches) are quite nicely positioned around the trunk.





Obviously it will never look like this tree but the left branch into an apex is kinda what I had in mind.

Coming along nicely Dan. I agree with Ken that the left hand branch should go. Or you could peel the bark off and wire it into nice deadwood. It will set in place as soon as it dries out.

Also you might like to consider leaning the tree over to the right a bit.

Regards,
Steven

I also think removal of that left hand branch but not entirely. leave the first secondary to develop and flow it with the rest of the tree and deadwood the leftover branch. I would also be wiring the secondary's now to get a better perspective of your tree flow.

Thanks for the replies guys. I took your advice Bohdi and wired the secondaries to see where the tree is going. I like your idea of using some of the branch and jinning the rest. I wired it just for now to see what it looks like before I jin it. Did you mean jin from the first secondary branch (on the left) or the second on the right? This is my first time actually getting into detail wiring a juni and I am pretty unimpressed with my photo taking capabilities as it loses all depth. All advice welcome

I also think the front might be around slightly to the right from where I have taken this photograph. This front loses the impact of the thick secondary off the main branch (seen from above)

You might want to create your new leader from the second branch on the right hand side and lose your top. This will create more interest in the tree. Lean the whole lot to the right and that will change it quite a bit.

I agree with Bohdi's suggestion. Other than that I think your tree is looking pretty good and has a lot of potential..

I agree Thanks guys. I'll post an update after the autumn growth period

Much nicer
The top is a little too tall for me but you can alway reduce later on

Ken