How should I style this

[William Dinitzen]

Hey

I have this Shin deshojo that I've let grow quite uncontrolled through the past few months, as I do not know how I want to style it. Im not looking to make any drastic changes such as chopping a part of the main trunk or anything, im mainly looking for tips on pruning etc. I was think if I should perhaps get rid of the lower branches as they make the tree have a bit of a cylindrical shape. Any advice or ideas greatly appreciated!

 

[Tieball]

I would not cut off those lower branches. Grow the lower branches.
Grow those branches so you don’t view the tree as cylindrical in shape.
I think that there’s a trunk behind the red line. What is the trunk diameter at the soil base? How tall is this tree right now?

In my view, with the photo you posted, I’d say your tree is top heavy. Growing those lower branches, and new lower branches that develop, will be key to a design direction. There may be a need to prune back some of the top growth….but it’s difficult to see right now.

It could be helpful to post photos of the tree straight on from a few angles. By straight on I mean that I should see very little of the soil area and more of the tree. And, eliminate the red line.

 

[Shibui]

I agree. Cylindrical look is more because the upper branches are too long compared with lower branches which are just tiny sticks. Trees look like trees when lower branches are thicker and longer and upper branches are thin and shorter. Most trees grow stronger at the top while young and this one is no exception. JM are particularly prone to over thickening where there are lots of strong branches and I suspect this one is very close to having a bulging top. You may be able to slow that by removing a few upper branches.

For traditional informal upright:
With a tall, thin trunk like this the lowest branch might be a bit low to depict a real old tree so I would be happy to remove both lowest if the plan is to retain the current height.
2nd branch level - strongest branch grows from inside trunk curve so that will never look great. Consider removing that right branch and building the left on outside of bend.
From there alternate branches from different sides of the trunk to the apex.

Alternative Japanese maple style: Search for images of Japanese maple bonsai and even old full size Japanese maples to see what this looks like. It is the natural shape that most JM grow as.
Wire lower branches upward with bends that compliment the trunk bends so that lower branches become sub-trunks that flow up and then out to form the branch pads. Still need to alternate so trunks are spaced all round sides and back, preferably not growing from inside bends and only 1 from each level.