Procumbens Juniper Progress and Advice

This is a short progress of a procumbens (nana?) from typical garden stock.



I thought it had an interesting branch structure and trunk movement, so I let it grow for about a year just feeding it. After I was comfortable about its overall health I took some time to cut it down.



I really like the overall structure of the branches and thought that several of them may make some nice deadwood as thinks progressed.



You got to love the red electrical wire, but that's all I had on hand, besides I just used it to wrench the crown down and put some branches in place.

I spent some time with it over the past few weeks and made some progress.











The foliage is juvenile, so this is going to take some time to mature. Hopefully, it will work out in the end.

What do you guys see as the positives and negatives so far? I see the issue with an apex that is too large overall, so that will have to be addressed.

What about the branches especially to the right? I'm really betwixt and between as what should stay or go. I got some great advice and guidance from a very competent and skilled member on another site regarding the development of pads and the foliage issue, but I need more sets of eyes on this.

Thanks Loads for any criticism and advice.

If this is a Juniperus procumbens then the foliage will stay spiky as it is.

I think this is a great start. I can't tell from the pictures, is the live vein visible from the front (around the base)? If not then you may want to rotate to find a front with some hint of live vein around the base. For now your branch placement is fine (you can always remove them later if it contradicts your design).

The apex does seem a little on the heavier side, and maybe a bit higher. I would first lower the apex by pulling the top portion of the trunk down (I use the spiral method; down-front) to reduce the top negative space. Your tree seems healthy enough to thin the apex; if you are a little conservative like me, then wait 3-4 weeks to see some new growth before thinning it.

Thanks juniper07 for your reply and advice.

The vein wraps itself from the base on up, excepting where it bypasses the deadwood. It has plenty that may be carved out of the trunk.

The apex itself is actually a semi wrap around from the left to right and then to the rear downward and eventually I'll crank the apex down a bit further.

I like it alot! Defintely a Procumbens no nana, spied some mature foliage in one photo.

Juniper procumbens only produces immature prickly foliage. Juniper procumbens nana ( dwarf ) in addition produces mature foliage when conditions are right.

Best,
Dorothy

Thanks appalachianOwl and Dorothy for the info.

Ah hah, I have been informed incorrectly, unfortunantly not to hard to do here on the old inter web. Thanks Dorthy.

I know, it is indeed confusing as some folks only refer to Procumbens nana as Procumbens. Procumbens nana is also known as Green mound Juniper.

Best,
Dorothy

dorothy7774 wrote:Juniper procumbens only produces immature prickly foliage. Juniper procumbens nana ( dwarf ) in addition produces mature foliage when conditions are right.

Best,
Dorothy

Thanks Dorothy. I didn't know that. This explains why your procumbens nana lokk nicer than any procumbens I've ever seen!

PaulH wrote:

dorothy7774 wrote:Juniper procumbens only produces immature prickly foliage. Juniper procumbens nana ( dwarf ) in addition produces mature foliage when conditions are right.

Best,
Dorothy

Thanks Dorothy. I didn't know that. This explains why your procumbens nana lokk nicer than any procumbens I've ever seen!

Thanks too Dorothy.

Now, what optimal conditions produce mature foliage? Would that simply be a time factor of allowing the immature foliage to mature?

Orion wrote:

Now, what optimal conditions produce mature foliage? Would that simply be a time factor of allowing the immature foliage to mature?

With time a procumbens nana will develop mature foliage, if cared for properly. This and humidity or misting will make them thrive. Watch fungal problems though and treat as soon as they arise.

The challenge is not necessarily to grow mature foliage on Procumbens nana, but to also maintain it. One of the key elements in developing and keeping the mature foliage is the way how and when you prune it.

Perhaps we can start a separate Procumbens nana thread, where we can all exchange experiences on how best to nurture and train them.

Best,
Dorothy

Once again, thank you Dorothy and I could certainly benefit from any tutelage on the topic.

Word on the street, at least with Rocky Mountain Juniper and I think Easter Red Cedar/Juniper, one should cut back the new growth to an intersection as it is apparently not as stressful as a pinch. I do know (or do I?) stress will cause production of immature foliage. I have a few nursery stocks on my benches aswell, one had almost all mature foliage, upon a reduction however the immature began again.