Yellow foliage shaded out?

[MSU JBoots]

My instinct tells me the yellow foliage on my juniper is just because it’s on the interior and shaded out. I just want to make sure that’s the case and see what the next step is. I know you should clean up a juniper typically once a year. I bought this late last fall and repotted it this spring. Outside of that I haven’t touched it. I knew it was strong based on the running tips last fall. I’ve been wanting to style it but have been remaining patient. My original plan was to clean it up this fall a bit then style it next spring. Any input is much appreciated!

 

[Shibui]

There's a number of reasons for juniper foliage to yellow.
Shading is one. Thinning the foliage or wiring to allow more sun to access interior is one way of alleviating that. Entire inner shoots turning yellow is an indicator.
Like all other species juniper foliage only lives for a limited time, probably 2-4 years but that may vary with species and climate. As individual needles get too old to be useful they die, turn yellow and eventually drop off. If the lowest interior foliage is turning yellow in spring and summer this is the likely cause.
Lack of water and/or nutrients and other stress can also cause foliage to yellow. As resources decline the tree turns off parts in order to survive. They usually 'choose' to get rid of weaker and inner parts and keep the more useful healthier outer areas and branch tips. Again, entire small branches will be the first to go. Repotting is another stress that can sometimes trigger this foliage drop.

If you are providing good care and the yellowing is moderate I don't think the tree is in danger. You may get away with some thinning and wiring now but I'd be more inclined to wait because of the recent repot. You can always style later around reduced foliage but more work could just push it past the point of no return in which case you won't have any choices.

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

Last year I posted a video about the yellowing of shimpaku in another topic.
They call it Toya.

 

[MSU JBoots]

There's a number of reasons for juniper foliage to yellow.
Shading is one. Thinning the foliage or wiring to allow more sun to access interior is one way of alleviating that. Entire inner shoots turning yellow is an indicator.
Like all other species juniper foliage only lives for a limited time, probably 2-4 years but that may vary with species and climate. As individual needles get too old to be useful they die, turn yellow and eventually drop off. If the lowest interior foliage is turning yellow in spring and summer this is the likely cause.
Lack of water and/or nutrients and other stress can also cause foliage to yellow. As resources decline the tree turns off parts in order to survive. They usually 'choose' to get rid of weaker and inner parts and keep the more useful healthier outer areas and branch tips. Again, entire small branches will be the first to go. Repotting is another stress that can sometimes trigger this foliage drop.

If you are providing good care and the yellowing is moderate I don't think the tree is in danger. You may get away with some thinning and wiring now but I'd be more inclined to wait because of the recent repot. You can always style later around reduced foliage but more work could just push it past the point of no return in which case you won't have any choices.

Thanks. Definitely not planning on styling to wiring right now. I guess I was wondering if I should clean up some of they yellowing foliage or not. I don’t think it’s lacking nutrients as it has some plantome organic fertilizer on it.

 

[MSU JBoots]

Last year I posted a video about the yellowing of shimpaku in another topic.
They call it Toya.

I started watching this but it the original version posted didn’t have subtitles like this one. I’ll give it a watch. Thanks.