J. squamata styling direction help?

[nutshell]

Hey nuts, new nut here.
Picked up this J. squamata expansa for cheap practice but with so many branches i'm not sure which direction to go. So far i've cleaned out some small interior branches I thought I wouldn't use and it's getting some back buds. BIG bar branch to the left but a nice curvy leader. Any ideas on possible styles or what size to shoot for with this variety would be greatly appreciated. Can add more pics if needed. Thank you!

 

[HorseloverFat]

Greetings wanderer! We fired the mutton as we saw you coming from a distance. Relax your roots within the fertile substrate of the Tiny Forest.... ALL the Woody Dwarves are following suite.

Nice Juni. A lot more mature (and different in “needles and density” than mine. I like it... hmmm....

Your question entirely depends on what YOU would like FROM this tree.. I can see several options...

Which direction are you thinking of taking it? Because that’s of utmost importance...

What I would PERSONALLY do.. may not be the way you’d take it.. in fact it might be downright horrifying to you..

Start THEORETICALLY eliminating branches in various combinations until one “clicks” visually.. Observe it.. then look for the “next” design..

I don’t know where your smoke signal is emanating from.. so I can’t really help assist with “timing” these decisions correctly..

You’ll definitely want to go ahead and update your profile to reflect a relative location/climate zone. (Mine just says NorthEaster Wisconsin) .. that way all advice you receive will pertain DIRECTLY to your individual climate situation.

Pleasure to make your acquaintance.

 

[nutshell]

Digging the double speak. Timing I can figure out.
I'd like to keep it somewhat natural looking, nothing too contrived which makes me hesitant to just go with the S shaped main trunk.
Although I'm thinking there's not much I can do with the bottom 3, maybe 4 branches.
Just wondering if anyone sees any interesting potential that I don't.
windswept?

 

[sorce]

You got more Squamata than a squatin mama.
More blue balls than a Sasquatch with a Mata-Mata!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[nutshell]

Hahaha ty, both. Think ill try something like this.
Not too far from the natural foliage habit just have to get them in the right place.
So it begins.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Hahaha ty, both. Think ill try something like this.
Not too far from the natural foliage habit just have to get them in the right place.
So it begins.
View attachment 317970

NICE!

 

[Mike Corazzi]

You could pin that picture up by the tree and maybe it would get inspired to mimic.

 

[nutshell]

lol I wish, i've cut the bottom four branches and what seemed unnecessary. In the process of wiring. Probably butchered it but it should live to see a second "styling".

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

lol I wish, i've cut the bottom four branches and what seemed unnecessary. In the process of wiring. Probably butchered it but it should live to see a second "styling".

Good to hear you are taking action on the juniper.

Please send photos when you are done.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[nutshell]

Give me a few days to tweak it then let the roasting begin. This meme seemed relevant.

 

[PA_Penjing]

Save one of those lower branches and just let the thing grow untouched. It'll thicken the base and give you a chance to play with jin/shari. I like the needles on this cultivar. I wouldn't mind stumbling across one for myself

 

[nutshell]

Base is surprisingly thick. I attemped/started to jin the lower 4 and one up top. So far i've stripped the bark and cleaned up the cut close to the trunk but I wasn't sure whether to use pliers or carve them somehow. Afraid I'll mess up with pliers but don't have any carving tools. Foliage is pretty dense in some spots. I'm hoping it will be tight enough for the size of the tree. Where it has back budded it seems to revert to mature foliage pretty quick.

 

[nutshell]

Here is where I'm at. I cracked what would be the semi-cascade branch so I've left it alone hoping it will heal.

 

[nutshell]

My thoughts:
Top jin looks nice but maybe too big. Bottom jins are tough to work being so close to the soil, might wait until repot.
Foliage needs to fill in and be chased back.
Need to research how to wire without overlapping.
4 branches come from a whirl at the top, but there are a few possible replacements I will let grow unchecked.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I, personally, would leave the top jin alone, too.

Assess it’s relativity in size at a later date. (It’s not going to grow out of control, or anything )

The bottom Jins are, in fact distracting.. as is.. (just like you have addressed)

I feel they COULD still be utilized effectively.. I’m excited to see what you decide to do.

 

[nutshell]

Bottom jins will be worked but I might have to carve instead of using cutters/pliers. Just can't get the tools in there. Will add pics after.