Boxwood clump urban-yamadori questions

[Notsureaboutplantnames]

This old landscape plant was part of a long formal hedge. Four years ago the owners pulled the remaining 4 plants and left them on the side of the road.

There are 6 large stems connected to the base that has seen multiple stems removed in the past.

One of stems is facing "forward" while the others are arching up from the "back".

The trunk has one decent side but shows a large scar, so maybe its not the decent one....

One option is cuts to most of the stems about halfway leaving one forward leaning main branch with the others in a background, but that seems to only work with the stem on the base with a nasty scar.

The brach with the red circle is the largest branch.

Third image is from the top showing the distribution of the branches.

The last image was from the internet,,,, forgot exactly where but is this possible for mine?

Suggestions welcome

 

[Eckhoffw]

I think this is definitely a nice find!
It could surely be a nice tree/has potential!

I wouldn’t adhere any one specific design outcome, but continue training/pruning the tree and see where it leads you.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

One potential problem is that most branches are upward arching but you’d want to at least get them into more horizontal positions. Boxwood branches are notorious for being difficult to bend, they are very brittle and need to be wired into position very early in their growth. You may have some luck using guy wires but plan on leaving them in place for several years. Good luck.

 

[BrianBay9]

Two suggestions. 1. Plant it lower in the pot and look for roots a bit higher. You can see, particularly in pic 2, that the root crown is exposed. 2. It may sound brutal but cut back hard on any of the trunks or branches that extend straight with little taper. @WNC Bonsai is right, these things are hard (impossible?)to bend when lignified so your only option is to regrow sections and bend while green. It will take quite a while but it's worth it.

 

[Notsureaboutplantnames]

great suggestions! Thank you

Repot is on the list. Still has some native soil around the roots but its time to remove it all.

Hard cut back sounds great....
When is best - late spring?
I have heard they dont compartmentalize very well.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

great suggestions! Thank you

Repot is on the list. Still has some native soil around the roots but its time to remove it all.

Hard cut back sounds great....
When is best - late spring?
I have heard they dont compartmentalize very well.

When cut back they backbud readily which is one reason they make good hedges. As far as compartmentalizing they take forever to heal a cut so be judicious or be prepared to do some deadwood work.