Semi-cascade Juniper

[Jeremy]

12 months in between photos of this pre-bonsai stock I purchased a few years back. I don't have earlier pics but the main trunk was over twice the height of the tree now. It was cut back and jinned and the tree was born through the first branch. Still a long way to go but it was nice to finally get some wire on and set a structure.
There is a small natural jin low on the front of the trunk that is almost completely healed over, I may think about re-opening that to add interest. And of course start thinking of pots, which will likely be 18 months from now, it seems happy in its nursery potting mix.

Any critiques or contemplations?

 

[Craigm]

Coming on nicely Jeremy,
if anything the cascading branch where it is a little straight could
be bent,hidden or some character added along the way.Semi cascade usually don't hang below the rim of the pot
too far so maybe adding a bend or two will lift it a bit.Nice either way,good progress.

 

[sorce]

I appreciate the character of that branch that IS the straightness.

I would like to see it's lowest branches brought up so you can't see the lowest wire.
Not so you can't see the wire....but to tighten it up some.

@Craigm I don't know about Australia...
I mean...I know in NZ horizontal and vertical are backwards...@fredman

But here...a semi ends before the feet of the pot.

I think if it doesn't hit the rim...
It just a "leaner"! Lol

Anyway....

I would call it an informal upright with a cascading branch....
A cascading branch which, by the way, will gain more attention arrow straight and delicately arranged at the end, than bent and made "same".

I guess it's because I like to...
"Let nature do something"
And make it work.

This works for me.

Sorce

 

[Jeremy]

I do agree it does appear very straight from the front view, there is movement in the branch but THAT is being hidden by a foliage pad... we will see how it appears when the tree fills out again.
@sorce I just tinkered with the lowest pads, any better? I think the left most one still seems off, trying to create another level but it leaves that little bare section of straight downward branch, really sticks out. One day I'm gonna get my ass to a workshop. Some more photos around the tree, and I'm thinking a pot like this, only, nicer!

 

[sorce]

I like it...

Especially that mostly bare inside one that still hangs down.

Nice views and pics!

Very well done!

Sorce

 

[defra]

nice i like this it looks like my first tree the one in my avatar

 

[petegreg]

Nice cascading beginning, I like the trunk and it's features.
In my opinion it looks little bit top heavy, or as if the top was two seasons older. It's an apically dominant species, so if you wanted to balance it more it would need more trimming on top.

 

[Jeremy]

Nice cascading beginning, I like the trunk and it's features.
In my opinion it looks little bit top heavy, or as if the top was two seasons older. It's an apically dominant species, so if you wanted to balance it more it would need more trimming on top.

True, I didn't' go quite as hard up top. I'm still trying to balance this tree in regards to growing 100% mature foliage. I think I already know I took off too much and it will mostly revert to juvenile foliage, but this exercise was mainly just eliminating the junk and shortening the runners. Turns out the cascading branch had more junk than the top. I've got some framework started, so now I can work on filling it in, then thinning it all back out, accordingly. I will update in another 12 months, for now I have to be diligent during our summer months as spider mites can move in and set up shop real quick!

 

[M. Frary]

I'd want to tip it to the right and cut the long straight branch off.
That gives you more movement from the ground making it a decent I formal upright.
The branch you cut off at the bend would have made a good first branch.

 

[Jeremy]

4 years between updates and im not really sure if this tree has progressed or gone backwards I did manage to get it into a pot and allow the growth to run perhaps a bit too rampant. Lack of attention/excuses on my behalf. Cut back and applied a bit of wire to find some shape again. The lower branch is untouched as some areas arent particularly strong. The small shari has completely healed so will open it up again in summer if all goes well

 

[sorce]

im not really sure if this tree has progressed or gone backwards

Alive and older is really the name of the game.

It has a shape I'd want to wire completely, instead of "excuses on my behalf".

I got more than a few EOMB junipers!

Sorce

 

[Jeremy]

Im thinking the right side needs to be shortened a touch to accentuate movement to the left. The apex is basically being regrown with new shoots, not enough substance to wire fully.
I've gotta leave the excuses behind, 3-5 days of painful torture coming up to bring the old foemina back to glory. I love and hate this thing