Juniper Cascade Bonsai

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am new to this forum and am excited to get help.
Colorado Zone4

I am working on this cascade juniper and have only been in Bonsai for 1 year. Although I know this tree needs to grow and gain much more foliage to create pads, I can't help but think that I need to or, can wire the brances into position.

Welcome to the world of bonsai. Congratulations on your first attempt at making a bonsai. The fact that you tried is a good thing the fact that you picked the most difficult style to pull of effectively is going to be a problem down the road as you learn. Don't get frustrated and understand in a couple of short years you could be out there collecting some really spectacular Yamadori (mountain trees) that will make your mouth water. Colorado is one of the best places in the world to collect natural dwarf trees and that is what you should concentrate on once you get your feet wet.

I think you will end up being happier with the tree if you chose ONE of the tails, sut off the other completely, then shortened it by about 1/2, also shortening the branches a bit, but not to the point there is no green on them

JimLewis wrote:I think you will end up being happier with the tree if you chose ONE of the tails, sut off the other completely, then shortened it by about 1/2, also shortening the branches a bit, but not to the point there is no green on them

Thanks Jim,

I was thinking that would be the way to go. Would it be wrong to keep the shorter tail? It's more full and seems to have more potential. Would you jin the other tail?

DerickS wrote:

JimLewis wrote:I think you will end up being happier with the tree if you chose ONE of the tails, sut off the other completely, then shortened it by about 1/2, also shortening the branches a bit, but not to the point there is no green on them

Thanks Jim,

I was thinking that would be the way to go. Would it be wrong to keep the shorter tail? It's more full and seems to have more potential. Would you jin the other tail?

I am not Jim but I have an opinion if I may.  The critical part of both hanging branches is covered by growth at the base.  With a cascade, the way the cascading branch emerges from the base is almost as important and critical, as what happens to it once it does.  If you could carefully move the growth aside so that portion of the tree could be seen it would help.  In bonsai every curve, bend, branch, and twig is important.  You are still looking at the tree as a total image, a cascade; and not concerning your self as to how it got there.   Did you realize that Beethoven's 5th symphony was written around four notes and an endless variation upon all of the ways those four notes can be put together?  So it is with bonsai.  Theme and variation.

Vance,

Thank you. Being new to this, I am often unsure of the next step. I am not afraid of removing branches, twisting or bending to help inhance the tree however, my main concern is the health of the tree first and creating something that I can enjoy secound.

This may look a little better.

At this point I would leave the tree alone. It is starting to look a bit stressed out and it should start new growth just to confirm it is doing OK.