Rocky Mountain Juniper [ #003 ]

[MACH5]

This is an RMJ collected by Andy Smith circa 1998. In 2000 I purchased the tree directly from him at the MidAtlantic Convention. Afterwards, the tree spent several years in my garden freely growing without doing much with the exception of some pruning. Originally this juniper had a strong lean to one side in a sort of semi cascade fashion. In 2007 it was repotted and the planting angle changed to a more upright direction. At that time I also made some decisions about editing its main structure. The original tree was much taller.

The styling for this RMJ had been long coming. I took the opportunity now to work on it's first initial styling after roughly 15 years since its collection.



This is the tree as it appeared before the work began.







Below is a pic of the work in progress.







And this is the tree with its first styling now completed. It stands 19" from soil level. The trunk still remains to be cleaned to enhance all the deadwood and single live vein. It will be repotted next Spring most likely in some sort of shallow round container.







This is an example of what I am thinking of as a possible pot choice.







THANK YOU!

 

[october]

Love it!!!! and the pot choice too. I rarely buy a tree that has had work done to it, with the exception of some pruning. However, if I saw this one at the nursery, I would inquire about it. Exceptional work!

Do you think it is going to be difficult to maintain this image. I realize that there will be times you just let it grow. However, given the foliage on the species and the fact that the best look for the tree is sporadic foliage. I mean, rmj have sporadic foliage anyway, but the current image is stunning and something I would like to preserve.

Rob

 

[amkhalid]

Stunning design. Beautifully executed.

 

[amkhalid]

Just to reinforce how much I love this design I am commenting again

I love how the apex moves slightly to the left and the first branch moves to the right. This creates such an incredible sense of tension while being dynamic at the same time.

Really, nice job man. This looks like professional work. Some of the best work I've seen on this forum.

 

[Dan W.]

Stunning! Great work M5, this has a wild/rugged, yet elegant feel to it.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Very tastefully done!

 

[october]

Just to reinforce how much I love this design I am commenting again

I love how the apex moves slightly to the left and the first branch moves to the right. This creates such an incredible sense of tension while being dynamic at the same time.

Really, nice job man. This looks like professional work. Some of the best work I've seen on this forum.

I came also came back to take another look at the tree. Bunjin is one of my favorite styles. This one is incredibly well done. I also agree that this is some of the best work on the forums.

Rob

 

[MACH5]

Love it!!!! and the pot choice too. I rarely buy a tree that has had work done to it, with the exception of some pruning. However, if I saw this one at the nursery, I would inquire about it. Exceptional work!

Do you think it is going to be difficult to maintain this image. I realize that there will be times you just let it grow. However, given the foliage on the species and the fact that the best look for the tree is sporadic foliage. I mean, rmj have sporadic foliage anyway, but the current image is stunning and something I would like to preserve.

Rob

Thank you Rob! I appreciated, your words mean a lot! Yes I would completely agree that the look for this tree needs to remain light particularly because of the thin and elegant trunk. I like to "see" the birds flying through its branches. I think it will be somewhat challenging to keep this image and no question that as it grows, branches will have to be replaced with smaller ones to take their place. There will be "off" years where I'll let it grow only to pull it back and thin it out again the next. The intent in general is not to develop denser foliage pads.

As a side note and in my humble opinion, some of the better RMJ bonsai are images that are kept somewhat sparse without heavy canopies.

Just to reinforce how much I love this design I am commenting again

I love how the apex moves slightly to the left and the first branch moves to the right. This creates such an incredible sense of tension while being dynamic at the same time.

Really, nice job man. This looks like professional work. Some of the best work I've seen on this forum.

Highly appreciated amkhalid! Your thoughts also do mean a lot to me.

Stunning! Great work M5, this has a wild/rugged, yet elegant feel to it.

Thank you Dan! Usually my preference these days are for the more robust trunks and such. However, at the time, this juniper with its thin, elegant trunk caught my eye. It was tough for me walking the line between naturalness and refinement.

 

[fore]

Beautiful job Mach5! Fantastic movement, age and elegance.

 

[wireme]

Sweet! Thanks for posting, I really like the image you've achieved here too. I have a couple somewhat similar pieces of raw stock, I'm sure this tree will be a source of inspiration as I ponder those trees.
Curious about one thing, fifteen years is a fairly long time. Was the time between collection and first styling dictated by the state/ development of the tree itself or also influenced by your own schedule or desire to work on it?

Mp

 

[coh]

I keep coming back to look at this one too. Beautiful! Can't wait to see it in the new pot.

Chris

 

[AboveBeyond]

I keep coming back to look at this one too. Beautiful! Can't wait to see it in the new pot.

Chris

Agreed. How tall is the tree?

 

[A Random User]

I think the tree is really well done...

From a constructive view, I would fill the area in
right where the new leader and your main right
branch meet the trunk a bit. It would distract one's
eye from the fact that they both seem to be coming
off the trunk at the same point.

Overall, an easy fix.

 

[drew33998]

For me this is Perfect.

 

[MACH5]

Sweet! Thanks for posting, I really like the image you've achieved here too. I have a couple somewhat similar pieces of raw stock, I'm sure this tree will be a source of inspiration as I ponder those trees.
Curious about one thing, fifteen years is a fairly long time. Was the time between collection and first styling dictated by the state/ development of the tree itself or also influenced by your own schedule or desire to work on it?

Mp

Thank you wireme! Yes it was more of a result of my busy schedule. I am glad I was forced to wait, because during all those years I had learned and absorbed much about the art itself.

In general though, as I'm sure you're aware, one must be very careful with collected material since it needs to be stablished and growing before any work is done to them. Good luck and have fun with your RMJs!

I keep coming back to look at this one too. Beautiful! Can't wait to see it in the new pot.

Chris

Thank you Chris! I will make sure to update this thread next Spring when the tree gets repotted. I will be in LA this week and taking time aside to visit a few of my favorite nurseries in the hopes I can find a suitable pot

Agreed. How tall is the tree?

It is 19" form soil level.

I think the tree is really well done...

From a constructive view, I would fill the area in
right where the new leader and your main right
branch meet the trunk a bit. It would distract one's
eye from the fact that they both seem to be coming
off the trunk at the same point.
View attachment 41044
Overall, an easy fix.

Thank you saw! I believe this may also be function of the photo taken from some distance which flattens the image a bit and makes it look like they are in fact emerging from the same point. In reality the apex is closer to us and the lower branch is coming from further back. Below is a pic taken a little closer for perhaps a bit more clarity. It didn't bother me but I do understand and appreciate the constructive comment

 

[fraser67]

Inspiring! Thanks for posting. There is something about this tree that is very moving...to me.

A real testament to the patience and vision required in Bonsai...but so often underestimated...
...this coming from a virtual newby

 

[PaulH]

Very nice tree! I can't wait to see it potted with the live vein cleaned and the deadwood treated.

 

[JoeR]

Update in the new pot would be awesome, Mach!

 

[MACH5]

Joe this tree is in grow out phase at the moment. It weakened after it got a fungus last year. Letting it grow and it will be styled again hopefully next year. I did repot it and reduced the rootball this past spring. Growing again very well this year.

 

[JoeR]

Joe this tree is in grow out phase at the moment. It weakened after it got a fungus last year. Letting it grow and it will be styled again hopefully next year. I did repot it and reduced the rootball this past spring. Growing again very well this year.

Shame it got fungus but I look forward to an update next year then!