First juniper tree

[Turboyeast]

LS.,
Hello from the Netherlands. Great to be among other enthusiasts.
So my first juniper tree came to me.... It is an pretty old tree, requiring (a lot of) attention. Iam trying to build ideas how to form this tree into a bonsai.
Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Let me know your thoughts....!

Cheers, TY

 

[gooeytek]

That's a nice first juniper!

 

[doc spring _work]

Lovely specimen! I love the movement on that branch on the right.

I see plenty of space for beautiful jin! I think my only issue with it is the plainness of the main trunk.

Not quite sure what id do about that but it has a TON of potential! Looking forward to seeing the future of this thread!

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Skon boompie.
It looks like it has taken on a nice winter color and I think you're going to have a lot of fun with this one.

My thoughts are to try and read up on air layering. Because those bottom two branches have cool moves and I think you could get away with using just those two branches to build a nice tree out of.
That means you'll have the top half to make a second tree out of! If you air layer it.

But that's toekomstmuziek. First things first: keeping it alive and happy. It has nice winter color but I think it's a bit on the grey side for a juniper, this can be the result of a past spider mite issue that could return this summer. Good to keep your eyes on that, it's not going to kill the plant or hurt it a lot, but it is something you want to be on top of. However.. That too is something to worry about later.

Where did you get it?

 

[doc spring _work]

Skon boompie.
It looks like it has taken on a nice winter color and I think you're going to have a lot of fun with this one.

My thoughts are to try and read up on air layering. Because those bottom two branches have cool moves and I think you could get away with using just those two branches to build a nice tree out of.
That means you'll have the top half to make a second tree out of! If you air layer it.

But that's toekomstmuziek. First things first: keeping it alive and happy. It has nice winter color but I think it's a bit on the grey side for a juniper, this can be the result of a past spider mite issue that could return this summer. Good to keep your eyes on that, it's not going to kill the plant or hurt it a lot, but it is something you want to be on top of. However.. That too is something to worry about later.

Where did you get it?

I agree with this sentiment! Air layering would make several nice trees, also having more trees is always awesome! Harder to kill them when you have several to practice with

 

[Tele]

The first opposing branches are beyond incredibly bad that I would make it the main feature (but that is just me I think).

 

[Deleted member 47471]

The age and firmness suggest that bending the bottom branches would not go well (to create better movement). I like the idea of air-layering since the trunk is plain, straight, and cannot be altered. I agree the tree has great potential, and air-layering might be the optimal route for unleashing that potential.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

The first opposing branches are beyond incredibly bad that I would make it the main feature (but that is just me I think).

I think they're incredibly good.
Try to tilt the trunk to the left in your mind, then remove everything above those bottom two branches, envision turning the left one into a jin. That's an instant bonsai right there.

Going to take three years to redo the roots, and air layer the tops off, but it'll work.

Gnarly, I like it.

 

[Turboyeast]

Thanks for your kind responses. I will respond with some additional pics below.
Cheers, TY

 

[Turboyeast]

Skon boompie.
It looks like it has taken on a nice winter color and I think you're going to have a lot of fun with this one.

Where did you get it?

Your dialect suggests that you reside in the direct vicinity of Eindhoven. Iam I close?
The tree was sourced on the craigslist.

 

[Turboyeast]

LS.,
Thanks for your responses, very interesting. I found this entertaining video on youtube, I like quoting Peter from Herons Bonsai (20 min 20 sec): 'I love working on projects like this (he is referring to neglected bonsai trees), because it is not just like a jigsaw puzzle, it's like a major major problem that you have to find the solution for'.

Well, I couldn't agree more...

I like your suggestion with regard to air layering. Fortunately, it is not only up to me to make the tough decisions with regard to this particular tree. I sourced the tree from our local craigslist, and together with the former owner (for the sake of the story, let's call him Mr. Miyagi) we will start transforming this tree (a piece of raw material in the words of Peter) into a meticulous bonsai. Obviously, I will keep you posted here.

Your help, guidance, insights are greatly appreciated and obviously I will transfer everything to Mr. Miyagi....so don't hesitate to shoot (I will try to respond to each and every comment).

Please find below pics of the tree from every angle. This might lead to new insights...
Cheers, TY

 

[leatherback]

Nice little tree.
Glad to hear you have someone experienced near you to help you with your tree, as this was the first thing I would have recommended. This tree has age and character, and there is a slight risk of overworking this into a stock-standard tree, which could be a sad story indeed!

Take your time rethinking the tree. It has outgrown its shape and style, and may need rejuvination at points. I would start by cleaning up bark, figuring out whether all bark is still alove (I think some parts may have died) and accentuating the deadwood/live sections so you can take that into consideration when designing.
The rootspreak looks like it is set up to really match the angle of the trunk. Often Junipers do not have a nice nebari, so I would be hesitant to make drastic planting angle changes.

I would consider dropping one of the 2 lower branches, and rework the crown completely to fit in with just the one. Which oe will require a bit of rotating, looking, tilting etc; Best done in 3D.

In which city are you based??

 

[Turboyeast]

I would consider dropping one of the 2 lower branches, and rework the crown completely to fit in with just the one. Which oe will require a bit of rotating, looking, tilting etc; Best done in 3D.

In which city are you based??

Thanks for your suggestions. Are you suggesting to make a 3D drawing of the tree, in order to do virtual 3D rotations?
Iam based in the city of Nijmegen.
Cheers, TY

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

Welcome to the forum.

Did you buy this tree online via Marktplaats?
I ask this because I think I recognize this tree being for sale there for around 650 euro.

 

[leatherback]

Are you suggesting to make a 3D drawing of the tree, in order to do virtual 3D rotations

Nah, I mean, this is best done with the actual tree in front of a person. From pictures it can be dificult to see what woudl work and what not.

Doetinchem has a bonsai club.
Might be an idea to pop by with the tree?

 

[AshleyMammal]

I think they're incredibly good.
Try to tilt the trunk to the left in your mind, then remove everything above those bottom two branches, envision turning the left one into a jin. That's an instant bonsai right there.

Going to take three years to redo the roots, and air layer the tops off, but it'll work.

Gnarly, I like it.

Something like this?

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Something like this?

View attachment 528736

We think alike. I dig it.

 

[doc spring _work]

Loving the new photos!

This one very much shows a lovely shape I missed! It's always amazing what you can miss in a 2d photo!

Attached I drew on one of the photos as to where I would air layer (dispite loosing the lovely current nebari you can develop more in the future)

Secondary thought although I'm not sold as you'd loose so much lovely character... But a raft style definitely has potential if you find yourselves stuck.
It would be an immensely difficult project but I see characteristics that would be perfect for it

Again i personally would prefer to see an informal upright but discussing all the wonderful things we could do is so much fun!

 

[Turboyeast]

Welcome to the forum.

Did you buy this tree online via Marktplaats?
I ask this because I think I recognize this tree being for sale there for around 650 euro.

Yes, it is bought from a seller from Marktplaats (craigslist). However, this particular tree was hidden somewhere in a series of photo's. It has not been advertised as such.
Cheers, TY

 

[Turboyeast]

Nah, I mean, this is best done with the actual tree in front of a person. From pictures it can be dificult to see what woudl work and what not.

Doetinchem has a bonsai club.
Might be an idea to pop by with the tree?

I think we have a local bonsai club as well. However, I am unfamiliar with its members. Let's see what my Mr. Miyagi says....
Cheers, TY