Juniper Styling advice sought

[bonsai barry]

I dug this juniper out of the ground last spring. I was attracted by the large nebari. I originally planned to cut about 80% of the plant and make a short wind-swept tree (hard to visualize from the photos). Other people think the bend in the trunk is the unique feature that should be highlighted. I think its a little too much of a bend and looks artificial.

I can see about four different trees in this tree. What do you see?

 

[JudyB]

I think the bend is good, but it's the composition between the lower branch and that bend that bothers me in some way. If you could shorten that one, by half, (or just get rid of it...)would it be better?

 

[jk_lewis]

The rest is superfluous.

 

[Vance Wood]

Before I did anything I would give the tree at least one more growing season before I started cutting on it. The tree has good potential. Give it time to put out new vigorous growth and see how it balances itself out before making a decision. Remember that there is one rule in bonsai that cannot be broken without serious consequences: Once you cut something you cannot get it back. It is better to remove it latter when you know you don't want/need it than to cut it now and wish you hadn't.

 

[edprocoat]

Before I did anything I would give the tree at least one more growing season before I started cutting on it. The tree has good potential. Give it time to put out new vigorous growth and see how it balances itself out before making a decision. Remember that there is one rule in bonsai that cannot be broken without serious consequences: Once you cut something you cannot get it back. It is better to remove it latter when you know you don't want/need it than to cut it now and wish you hadn't.

Ahh, the old circumcision rule !!

ed

 

[Vance Wood]

Ahh, the old circumcision rule !!

ed

Graphic but realistic.