Anniversary Juniper

This juniper was a gift from my wife on our 30th anniversary. When it was bought it had a good foundation but had grown very leggy, I've spent the last three years bringing the foliage closer into the branches.

I think the original vision for this tree was a large canopy style. I plan to reduce it drastically to make it more free form. Meanwhile I plan to use it for the next several years to learn more about working with junipers. I am wiring branches that I suspect will be gone in a few years. I plan to practice carving this summer. I also want to practice some grafting.

The most current photo isn't that great but there was a break in a storm today so I went outside and snapped a few photos.

Any suggestions about future styling would be great, I will post better photos later this spring.

PS I am trying an experiment of wiring very slowly so not to stress the tree. I am doing about 1/4 each six weeks. I am about half done.

Its a great looking juniper, how big is it? I was thinking that was about a 10 inch pot and maybe the tree stood about 22 inches tall, but if this is not the case that is in no way meant as an insult, its solely a judgement from the pot.

ed

edprocoat said:

Its a great looking juniper, how big is it? I was thinking that was about a 10 inch pot and maybe the tree stood about 22 inches tall, but if this is not the case that is in no way meant as an insult, its solely a judgement from the pot.

ed

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You were right on the money, it's about 24 inches (60cm). Even if you were wrong, I don't think I'd find the size of the tree insulting.

bonsai barry said:

You were right on the money, it's about 24 inches (60cm). Even if you were wrong, I don't think I'd find the size of the tree insulting.

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it's not the size that counts ....


wait... why do I have lots of large trees???

Beautiful tree Barry... I can't wait to see what your carving work does to this guy.... It's really starting to take shape...

Beautiful tree with great base and movement. I'm wondering if the tree might improve if you siginificantly reduce or even completely jin the second branch on the left...it seems too heavy to me...just a thought. Good luck with it.

Dave

So,,, you still have the tree... still got the wife??? You better, with the nice gifts you get from her! Did she pick it out on her own, or did you fish for it??? Anyway, nice tree, and good ideas for going forward with it.

JudyB said:

So,,, you still have the tree... still got the wife??? You better, with the nice gifts you get from her! Did she pick it out on her own, or did you fish for it??? Anyway, nice tree, and good ideas for going forward with it.

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Well, after thirty years of marriage, it is okay... expected... that I would choose it myself.

Dav4 said:

Beautiful tree with great base and movement. I'm wondering if the tree might improve if you siginificantly reduce or even completely jin the second branch on the left...it seems too heavy to me...just a thought. Good luck with it.

Dave

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My thought exactly. I think it will really emphasize the movement of the trunk. In fact, I expect to remove about 30% of the branches, but I'm doing it slowly, experimenting and learning as I go. It could take a couple of years extra to complete my plans for this tree, but I'm taking it a limb at a time... sort of a bonsai strip tease.

How about?: