JBP - Another Defect Tree

[Defect]

Hello all,

Got another one for you guys. Purchased this tree about 3 years ago and it has been left to grow since then. When I bought it I thought it had some nice movement going on in the lower trunk area(Which I know you guys can't see at the moment). Just wondering what I should do at this point in the trees life. There are branches and shoots everywhere at the moment. It is in a 5 gallon pot right now and is around 32 inches tall.

Thanks,

Aaron

Edit : I know I saw a really detailed write up on JBP somewhere but I can't seem to find it.

 

[Adair M]

You could hang Christmas balls on it...

Well, how is the trunk? Is it fat enough for what you want?

Does it have nice taper?

How about the nebari?

90% of the value of any tree is the nebari and the lower trunk from the nebari to the first branch.

So, at this point in the tree's life, you need to look at the lower trunk and nebari, and determine what the best part is. Figure out what you need to do to make the best part even better, and begin than process.

If the tree needs a fatter trunk, maybe it needs to be up potted, or go in the ground.
If the tree needs taper, maybe it needs a trunk chop, and a new leader positioned to take over being the leader.

If you have those, maybe it's time to start picking branches.

If you have branches, maybe it's time to start building ramification.

Unfortunately, I can't tell from the pictures. It does look healthy.

Oh, the detailed write up can be found in Brian VanFleet's blog. Go to www.nebaribonsai.com. He has an excellent write up.

 

[Defect]

You know what? Forget the bonsai idea for this tree its going to be this years Christmas tree!

Nebari seems to be actually quite nice. Lower trunk is around 2 inches. Would like the tree to be about 14 inches tall when all said and done. Taper could be better in the midsection of the tree.

Will take some pictures of the actual trunk and nebari later on with a better camera.


Edit: Just wanted to add one thing. This thing has tons of foliage as you can see, I am wondering if some of the branches/shoots should be cut off to allow some light inside of the tree. Right now it has some new shoots inside of the mass of needles that are trying to survive but I am sure if I don't clean it up they are going to die.

 

[Defect]

Here's the trunk and nebari! Nebari could be a little better I suppose but I think it is decent? Oh and also a really bad picture of where there is a taper problem about 10 inches up on the trunk. To much going on in there to really get a good shot of it.

Lemme know what you think.

Aaron

P.S. Before anyone chews me out about the soil it is in. I know it's not the right soil for it to be in but I was new Seems to be doing pretty well in it but I will be changing it out next chance I have to repot.