Too BUSHY..... maybe also too... LEAN-ey

[Mike Corazzi]

I'm looking at this juniper that started out about 25 years ago as a staked procumbens on the patio.
At around that time, I saw a better (?) plan and reduced the mound of staked plant to far less of a tree.



It gave me fits as the height was a wind catcher.
Various pots later, I put it in that pot which is ULTRA heavy.
Fine.... no more blowing off the rack.

But....as you can see, it began to lean so much that I wedged that rock in it to prop it up.
Seemed okay for the propping ...but... I think it is leaning too much.
I'm considering a repot to a smaller pot and trying to weigh it down enough for wind stability.

OR.....

Let it stay in that pot and go halfass penjing and add a Buddha under it.


Excuse the fucked up virt please.

Sooo..... chip in with any comments if you will.
=========================


THEN..... tackle the issue of the DENSE FOLIAGE

I'm tempted to start whacking but worry about it being too early to do that.

As you can see,, it is LOADED with cones.



What think of thinning out? And time of year if so....
Or
going with the Budha composition?


I think that's the end of my questions.

 

[James W.]

I like the look of it shorter. Consider even more shorter? Play with covering portions of it with a white cloth (I use dish towels but not my wife's I have my own).

 

[Mike Corazzi]

I like the look of it shorter. Consider even more shorter? Play with covering portions of it with a white cloth (I use dish towels but not my wife's I have my own).

Not sure I can go shorter.
Almost all the limbs originate at the top and drop down.

This is an earlier pic when the structure shows better. Except for that wonky twiddle off to the left that is now removed.

 

[Ruddigger]

Looks like a nice tree to me. I’d just clean it up a little and wire everything out.

 

[Eckhoffw]

I agree with @Ruddigger.
I’m thinking I’d keep the dominant upper branches in check while growing some sacrifice branches low.

keeping the tree larger will help fatten up the trunk, and make for a better chop later on.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

I agree with @Ruddigger.
I’m thinking I’d keep the dominant upper branches in check while growing some sacrifice branches low.

keeping the tree larger will help fatten up the trunk, and make for a better chop later on.

If I can...... The trunk has been that size for 25 years. It hasn't sprouted any lower foliage although I've wanted it to for that very reason.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Ahh. I gotcha.
Well, this pic I like. With some pruning and wiring will look mighty fine!

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Ahh. I gotcha. View attachment 527908
Well, this pic I like. With some pruning and wiring will look mighty fine!

Oh lordy. Now I gotta figger which way to move it in the existing pot.

AND... find some fresh new growth so I can prune the heck out of it.

 

[nuttiest]

Maybe you could put it deeper in a cascade pot for a while so you can restrengthen its roots. The rock may cause issues under the soil and make the leaning worse. I really like that last photo.