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I have been working with bonsai for about a year and a half, so I am familiar with many of the basic ideas of how to trim and shape trees. However, this last year got away from me with this juniper, these runners kept growing and at first I was going to move this tree into a training pot, but now I just want to reduce its size, wire, and then leave it as is.

My question is, how much of these split runners can I remove? They contain a large amount of the growth tips and I do not want to rob this tree of so much of its energy. I live in Phoenix AZ, so restricting sunlight is the goal, which means they get plenty. They are watered and fed regularily and maintain average temps and hum of about 76* F and 55% respectively. Since I am able to regulate their environment adequately, I expect strong growth patterns. (This tree was also one of 4 I got in the spring so they have not completely adapted to the Phoenix environment but didn’t burn over the summer so they don’t need to recover). I also am posting a view of their habitat with my other trees just to give whoever replies an idea of what I am working with. It’s not the best picture but I can post more later. C949CCBB-90C7-46F5-8631-D7A0D23998D0.jpeg
 

AZ Newb

Sapling
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I would highly recommend joining the Phoenix Bonsai Society. In fact, last week we had an open workshop at our meeting. I brought in a juniper that I was stumped on, and I got help from one of our mentors. It’s now on the way to becoming a nice tree.
 

bwaynef

Omono
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I think your tree could still be in the trunk shaping stage. Add all the movement you want sooner than later. Once you're satisfied with the trunk and its movement, start selecting for branching and then work to move the branching into position. No need right now to concern yourself with runners. That'll come down the road a bit.
 
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I would highly recommend joining the Phoenix Bonsai Society. In fact, last week we had an open workshop at our meeting. I brought in a juniper that I was stumped on, and I got help from one of our mentors. It’s now on the way to becoming a nice tree.
I have really wanted to, but school requires about 80-90 hours a week from me so I only have time for my trees, school, and day to day life (which includes 3 dogs). Someday I will, for now YouTube and this forum have to suffice. If you have before and after pics of your tree you worked on with PBS I’d love to see them.
 
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I think your tree could still be in the trunk shaping stage. Add all the movement you want sooner than later. Once you're satisfied with the trunk and its movement, start selecting for branching and then work to move the branching into position. No need right now to concern yourself with runners. That'll come down the road a bit.
So just let it grow but wire the trunk movement soon, ok. Do I cut the tips to encourage backbudding or is this just let it grow wild, wire a shape the tree and I agree on, and then start reducing in a year or two? Pines have been a little confusing in the sense that letting them grow looks great to me but once they get going I can’t tell what shaping is needed as well as I don’t want to cut back the beautiful new growth unless it’s stifling light to other needles. Since this is clearly going to be a development tree, should I transfer it to a trainer pot, if so do I use bonsai soil or regular juniper soil?

I subscribe to Herons, Eastern Leaf, and Bonsai-En for guides but they often work with much smaller or much larger trees and have different (more simple) goals for those trees. Are there any recommended books or channels for more detailed guides?
 
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