Yard Juniper repot

[Tona]

This is a San Jose juniper that I had in the ground for years. I can't find a picture of it when it was in the ground. The first picture (middle tree) is before the re-pot. The others are today after the re-pot. I changed the angle and rotated the front a bit. I still need to arrange the foliage better. San Jose foliage is tough to work with. All comments are welcome.
Tona

 

[CHUCHIN]

Love the new front. Good work...I think a different pot is needed.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Here are my observations, and pardon me as I'm new to bonsai. I prefer the original front side in the first picture, although the choice of pot and position in pot seem awkward. As for the new position and pot, I like how the lower trunk appears bigger and more tapered.

Would you care to say why you decided changing it to it's current state?

 

[Tona]

I agree that in time I will need to find a better pot, however, for now this will be have to do as a training pot. I'm going to let it rest for a while.
As far as position and angle; I had used a couple wedges and blocks to look at the tree from different angles over the last few few days. I settled on my personal preference. I wanted to show the trunk size as much as possible and use as much of the remaining tree as possible. I may remove a few more branches, but I will let it settle in my mind for the time being. I did remove a few branches on the left side yesterday (notice the jin).
When the tree was dug up about 2 years ago, the curved trunk extended much more and has been shortened considerably. I dug up three trees of about the same size and am now beginning work on them.
Thanks for the input,
Tona

 

[Smoke]

Forwhatitsworth,

I think this tree suffers from not having a defined apex. Right now there is foliage all over the place and none of it defineing a form. If you squint it looks like a lolipop of foliage on a crooked stick. I mean that with the utmost respect.

If it were mine I would either choose to chop it and use the left side or clean off the trunk and use the right side.

Either one would create an apex and make the tree much more dynamic in form.

 

[Tona]

Thanks Al,
Wasn't sure which way I will go with the foliage. It is all over the place as you say. Hate the idea of chopping off the right side (that much of the trunk) but in time I may succumb to it. Thanks for the two verts as well. I will be considering them both. I was hoping someone like you would chime in with advice.
Tona

 

[Poink88]

I saw this earlier on my phone and thought the same as Al.

The branches--independently looks like wired nicely... but they are not working as a unit. You need a game plan first.

 

[Neli]

Forwhatitsworth,

I think this tree suffers from not having a defined apex. Right now there is foliage all over the place and none of it defineing a form. If you squint it looks like a lolipop of foliage on a crooked stick. I mean that with the utmost respect.

If it were mine I would either choose to chop it and use the left side or clean off the trunk and use the right side.

Either one would create an apex and make the tree much more dynamic in form.

You took the words out of my mouth. All branches on top are going side way...and it is too flat and rounded on top.
You need to select one branch for apex and bend it up.

 

[Tona]

What do you guys think about changing the front before I remove any branches?

 

[Poink88]

The lowest branch is making it difficult to see the tree both from this view and the other side. Can you take a pic from the other side and put a white bag or maybe a towel to "remove" (visually) the back (lowest) branch from the pic?

Thank you.

 

[GrimLore]

I would go for the first virt Al showed us and let it grow out a season and clean it up from there.

Grimmy

 

[Tona]

The lowest branch is making it difficult to see the tree both from this view and the other side. Can you take a pic from the other side and put a white bag or maybe a towel to "remove" (visually) the back (lowest) branch from the pic?

Thank you.

Hi Dario,
I'm on a trip up North until the 18th. When I get back I will try and post better pics from all sides. Thanks for your input.
Tona