Wire procumbens Nana now or later?

[Mayank]

Hi everyone. I know this information is in the site somewhere but I got confused. Is this a good time to wire and refine a fairly well established Japanese garden juniper in Michigan? It's 24C (75 F) outside...

 

[0soyoung]

The basic growth pattern of trees is that the stems thicken faster and faster and faster, reaching a maximum by mid-July (2-3 weeks after the summer solstice). Then they keep thickening but a little less and then a little less and then a little less yet each day/week/month. This all occurs because of divisions of a layer of stem cells called the cambium that lies between the bark and wood. IOW, the thickness of the cambium layer maxes out a bit after the summer solstice.

Think about what that means and you can answer your own question. But give it a little try now and then try it again in a few months so you have a tactile sense of what it means.

It is like repotting - one can do it most any time IF they know what they are doing.

 

[Mayank]

Here's current pics: front view

 

[Mayank]

Left Cascade:

 

[Mayank]

Right Cascade and nebari

 

[Mayank]

Close up of the deadwood

 

[ihaveaspaceship]

Nice tree, i'd wire it if I had it. They seem to be very healthy.

 

[bonsaichile]

That tree needs a hair cut

 

[bonsaichile]

For what is worth, I have found that it is more likely to lose a branch by wiring in the summer than it is by doing it in colder months

 

[Vance Wood]

The problem with wiring in the Spring is the threat of slipping the bark and killing the branch. Wait till after the Solstice as mentioned. You have some beauitiful material going on there. Are these trees new to you in this area?

 

[Mayank]

Needs a haircut: Hence the thread

 

[Mayank]

The problem with wiring in the Spring is the threat of slipping the bark and killing the branch. Wait till after the Solstice as mentioned. You have some beauitiful material going on there. Are these trees new to you in this area?

I've had it for a year and has been in Michigan for years. Thanks for your input Vance!

 

[Mayank]

We've thinned it some, especially the brown needles but it also was victim to my garage overwintering (see my other threads). This image is from early spring.

 

[Mayank]

@Vance Wood said " you have some beautiful material" and "are these trees new to you". Thanks @Vance Wood. Its my experience that garden junipers do not get respect the way Shimpakus do and other junipers do and I don't understand it. Perhaps there was a time when shimps were rare and not field grown but after every single one in the wild had been yamadoried and Shimpakus are now available at your local garden store I don't get it.
Also, all the photos are of the same tree.

 

[Mayank]

The problem with wiring in the Spring is the threat of slipping the bark and killing the branch. Wait till after the Solstice as mentioned. You have some beauitiful material going on there. Are these trees new to you in this area?

So we worked on the tree today with our Sensei Vance Hanna and gave it the haircut it needed!
What'd you'll think? Too much??? A lot of wine was involved

 

[Mayank]

Two dimensional photos don't do it justice I think

 

[0soyoung]

Two dimensional photos don't do it justice I think

They never do when the tree is really good.
Another year improving pads is about all that is left to do.

Apparently you weren't drinking a cheap box wine.

There is an implied compliment hiding in there, ...

 

[Vance Wood]

So we worked on the tree today with our Sensei Vance Hanna and gave it the haircut it needed!
What'd you'll think? Too much??? A lot of wine was involved

I thought Vance Hanna had moved to California, you worked with him today? Is Vance back or just visiting?

 

[Mayank]

I thought Vance Hanna had moved to California, you worked with him today? Is Vance back or just visiting?

Just visiting and we're trying to get him to come to the show

 

[Vance Wood]

Just visiting and we're trying to get him to come to the show

Everyone will be glad to see him.