Shimpaku Juniper #1

[PowerTap]

This is a tree Ive been developing starting from nursery stock and a club beginners workshop. I've done the fine wiring on the main trunk, but everytime I start to work on the secondary branches on the left side I feel uncertain where to go.

They are substantial in girth and I think to long. But, I haven't been able to decide on how much or if they should be cut back or cut short and turned into jin.

The whole tree


Some closeup shots of the secondaries on the left.


Critique appreciated.

 

[Shibui]

Agree that those 2 left branches are too thick and too long.
I can see several immediate style options for this tree.
Literati"

Remove both large left branches. Convert base or possibly more to dead wood. Possible shari on left side of trunk connects those jins and maybe even further up or down trunk. Upper trunk also jin. Lower largest right side branch.

Windswept:

Remove both left branches and other smaller branches on left side. Maybe short jins from bases of the 2 big branches. Remove trunk above larger upper right branch.

Shorter informal upright

Shorten lower thick branch to the first green. Consider jin the end. Concert main trunk above 2nd thick branch to dead wood. Possibly short or maybe longer sweeping dead branch. Develop branch pads from remaining green and any new back buds that emerge. This option would be a longer term project as you'll need a few years for the small branches left to grow and thicken up.

Keep main trunk and shorten lower left branch as for previous shorter informal. Chop 2nd thick branch back hard and hope for buds from the base then develop a better 2nd branch.


There's almost certainly other options to explore as well.

Good luck with the decision making.

 

[CaptColin]

when in doubt with trees this size I always come back to this video By Eric. Great material you have here!

 

[PowerTap]

Agree that those 2 left branches are too thick and too long.
I can see several immediate style options for this tree.
Literati"
View attachment 498265
Remove both large left branches. Convert base or possibly more to dead wood. Possible shari on left side of trunk connects those jins and maybe even further up or down trunk. Upper trunk also jin. Lower largest right side branch.

Windswept:
View attachment 498267
Remove both left branches and other smaller branches on left side. Maybe short jins from bases of the 2 big branches. Remove trunk above larger upper right branch.

Shorter informal upright
View attachment 498266
Shorten lower thick branch to the first green. Consider jin the end. Concert main trunk above 2nd thick branch to dead wood. Possibly short or maybe longer sweeping dead branch. Develop branch pads from remaining green and any new back buds that emerge. This option would be a longer term project as you'll need a few years for the small branches left to grow and thicken up.

Keep main trunk and shorten lower left branch as for previous shorter informal. Chop 2nd thick branch back hard and hope for buds from the base then develop a better 2nd branch.


There's almost certainly other options to explore as well.

Good luck with the decision making.

Thank you for the very deep answer and multiple ideas. I think I'm inclined to the windswept or literati, but need to think on it a bit before I go chopping.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I think you should remove the wire - it looks like it is biting in quite bad in spots.

I think the above mentioned ideas are good. My thought: I dont like the central trunk. I would make that whole thing dead wood. I'd pull the apex down sharply to fill in the central portion of the tree, and regrow the apex.

Theres a lot of root mass showing also which I think should be covered still to help nebari development.

Plenty of good options. Nice overall start.

 

[Shibui]

but need to think on it a bit before I go chopping.

Always a great idea to consider carefully, especially with ideas offered from photos. Hard to go back after a trunk chop.
Always check that the ideas offered work with the trees in 3D as you see it. We can't see the subtleties of depth and front/back bends in a photo.

 

[PowerTap]

My thought: I dont like the central trunk. I would make that whole thing dead wood. I'd pull the apex down sharply to fill in the central portion of the tree, and regrow the apex.

By central trunk do you mean the tall leader or the base?



I'm also considering adjusting the planting angle counter-clockwise maybe 30°, which would bring the apex back over the base some.

Otherwise I'm still looking at it and considering the options to shorten the tree. As much as the branches on the base are too thick to go with the current leader; the branches on the leader are tufts that will have to grow out substantially.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

By central trunk do you mean the tall leader or the base?

View attachment 499515

I'm also considering adjusting the planting angle counter-clockwise maybe 30°, which would bring the apex back over the base some.

Otherwise I'm still looking at it and considering the options to shorten the tree. As much as the branches on the base are too thick to go with the current leader; the branches on the leader are tufts that will have to grow out substantially.

The white marked central branch in your photo is the one i'd remove.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

This is a tree Ive been developing starting from nursery stock and a club beginners workshop. I've done the fine wiring on the main trunk, but everytime I start to work on the secondary branches on the left side I feel uncertain where to go.

They are substantial in girth and I think to long. But, I haven't been able to decide on how much or if they should be cut back or cut short and turned into jin.

The whole tree
View attachment 498258

Some closeup shots of the secondaries on the left.
View attachment 498259

Critique appreciated.

The tree has potential to be rafted into a forest

 

[PowerTap]

The tree has potential to be rafted into a forest

I must admit that is not an idea that has even vaguely crossed my mind, but will now linger.

 

[pandacular]

The tree has potential to be rafted into a forest

I love a man who has an obsession, eh Bonsai Forest?

 

[Deleted member 47471]

I love a man who has an obsession, eh Bonsai Forest?

Hahaha, indeed

 

[PowerTap]

Hahaha, indeed

Also, very cute dog in your profile photo.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Th

Also, very cute dog in your profile photo.

thank you! his name is Gilbert