Please advice on improving this JWP

[Manbris]

Hi,

Looking for some advice on improving this JWP. Got it last summer and fed it well this year. It looks healthy now- thinking about next steps to improve it. What would you do? One thing I plan is to do some root work next spring and repot it with bonsai soil. Can I cut a few big roots - redevelop the nebari?

Thanks!

 

[Paradox]

Fixing that root system is going to take time, many years and several repots. I wouldn't remove more than 1/3 of the root system at any one repot. You'll need to make sure to leave enough fine roots at each repot so the tree can survive. You'll need to give the tree time to build new roots in between.

This fall (mid September and on) you can start looking at the branches and start removing ones you know won't be in the final design. You can also cut back branches to interior branches where there are interior ones strong enough to take over. Do not remove more than 30 to 50 percent of the foliage in a year and allow the tree to build new buds/shoots in between successive cut backs.

This fall, you can also thin older needles by cutting needles on the tops and bottoms of branches an wire branches to give them shape