Advice on shaping this juniper

[cheap_walmart_art]

I got a hold if this nursery stock Itogawa juniper and was wondering if anyone has styling tips or advice on where to get started on this guy.

 

[queenofsheba52]

I don't do much with evergreens but it looks like you've got a nice curve in that trunk, and the tree looks healthy. I'm rather new to the hobby, but one thing I like to do is spend quite a bit of time looking at my trees and considering what they'd like to be when they grow up.

Im sure someone with juniper experience will chime in soon. Until then, enjoy studying your new tree!

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

I don't do much with evergreens but it looks like you've got a nice curve in that trunk, and the tree looks healthy. I'm rather new to the hobby, but one thing I like to do is spend quite a bit of time looking at my trees and considering what they'd like to be when they grow up.

Im sure someone with juniper experience will chime in soon. Until then, enjoy studying your new tree!

That's where I am now with it. I'm not even really sure if it would be better to wait on it until fall to do any pruning or wiring.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

1. Find the side which shows the best base and trunk line.
2. Identify the primary branches.
3. Determine where the apex should be.
4. Prune back, from the outside (compacting the tree), do not remove any interior growth.
5. Lots of food, water, and sun, and in the fall you can begin to wire those primary branches.

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

1. Find the side which shows the best base and trunk line.
2. Identify the primary branches.
3. Determine where the apex should be.
4. Prune back, from the outside, do not remove any interior growth.
5. Lots of food, water, and sun, and in the fall you can begin to wire those propimary branches.

Nice and straightforward. Thanks for taking the time out to give advice!

 

[queenofsheba52]

While you await a more helpful reply than mine (wink), maybe poke around in the Juniper Forum here on Bnut. I did a lot of searching there when my sister wanted to get rid of an old landscape juniper, to see if I could collect it successfully.

And there's BVF jumping in right away with good thoughts on how to proceed. Great advice!

 

[sorce]

I dont think there is a "quick" styling option for this...

Unless you can use the entire orange length of trunk and build the green canopy...


But that trunk curve will get boring fast IMO..
It'll be "cookie cutter".

I think you'll find useable things to take for layers in the top. Branches in right places to
Begin smaller projects..

While waiting for that blue stuff to become more useable...
Closer foliage if branches...
Thicker with branches if new trunk leads...

All that blue needs time.
Or removal....
But removal doesnt leave anything interesting IMO.
So id wait..

Sorce

 

[Bananaman]

I got a hold if this nursery stock Itogawa juniper and was wondering if anyone has styling tips or advice on where to get started on this guy.

1. Find the side which shows the best base and trunk line.
2. Identify the primary branches.
3. Determine where the apex should be.
4. Prune back, from the outside (compacting the tree), do not remove any interior growth.
5. Lots of food, water, and sun, and in the fall you can begin to wire those primary branches.

If only.. it were this easy...

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

If only.. it were this easy...

He didn’t ask for easy, he asked for styling tips and advice on where to start. What do you suggest?

 

[Bananaman]

He didn’t ask for easy, he asked for styling tips and advice on where to start. What do you suggest?

Have the tree in front of me, a pile of wire and some tools. That’s for me, this guy, I have no idea.

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll pull a page from Sorce and attach a pic of what I was thinking. I hate the lower right branch so it goes. I though maybe I'd develop the remaining foliage into the rough shape if the green in the pic. Keep the orange as main trunk line and maybe Jin the yellow for interest? You guys think I may be on the right track with that plan?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Have the tree in front of me, a pile of wire and some tools. That’s for me, this guy, I have no idea.

So with the tree in front of you, wouldn’t you find the best front, primary branches, determine height, and make some pruning cuts? Why wouldn’t he do the same?

 

[Bananaman]

So with the tree in front of you, wouldn’t you find the best front, primary branches, determine height, and make some pruning cuts? Why wouldn’t he do the same?

Thinking like I do about this stuff, I figure that if it is that easy why he hadn’t done that already. What he wants is someone to come up with a better plan than he has. One, that don’t make it his tree. And two, I’m not interested in making his tree. So there you go.

But, you have armed him with good generic advice. Let’s see where it goes.

 

[Dragon60]

So it's been not quite a year ago. Is this tree still around?

 

[cheap_walmart_art]

So it's been not quite a year ago. Is this tree still around?

Still very much alive and kicking. I didnt end up styling it, but i have been using it as a mother tree for cuttings.