[ID Request] My first Yamadori

Hello IBC!



Need some help figuring this tree out. I was thinking Juniperus virginiana

I think you might be right, IF you got it from eastern North America. Maybe you can update your profile with your general location.

Hi Dave, thanks for you response. Yes, I'm in the Southeast.

Someone said it might be a Cypress, but I'm thinking Juniper.

Looks like a Eastern Red Cedar, which is not a cedar at all, but Juniperus Virginiana as you suggested.  That's why some try to avoid common names.

BTW, you should recheck your location/hardiness zone.  The 26 Parallel North would put you in south Florida, which is definitely not zone 7b.  N 36 degrees would be more believable. I would recommend putting at least a state in your location, because zone 7b Georgia and 7b Washington are completely different climates.

Fixed sorry. Clerical error. I'm at 36ºN

Hey there satoyama, my guess would be J. virginiana as well. Nice root spread. It appears you took a large bit of foliage off, or was that chop made prior collection? I've found research on the species very critical before collection. -Jacob

Hi Jacob! Thanks for the compliments on the roots. Believe it or not, haven't taken off a single needle or branch, except for the trunk chop. After cutting I've read and been told a few things. For example, you shouldn't defoliate Junipers, or you shouldn't trunk cut at all. How true is this? Do you think she has enough foliage to survive?

Hi Satoyama, I wouldn't stress too much about this tree.
It will most likely live, and NOT die. But you should not touch this tree for at least a year or more.
It needs to grow out and re-gain its strength.

So that means:
NO re-potting!
NO pruning/cutting branches/thinning!  
NO wiring/styling!  

All of the above applies for the "year or more"
Just place it in an area (outside) where it gets morning/early afternoon sun for roughly 5-7 hours a day (depending on climate and all that), combined with adequate watering, and that tree should be in much better condition in a few years.  
Oh and also, don't bother trying to fertilize this tree while its in this condition.

I hope this helps,
Shayn

From what I understand a junipers "strength" is in its foliage, 20% removal will put the tree in stress, no more than 50% at any time, especially collected material. Have seen others reduce quit more drastically, but that's them, maybe they can chime in  .

except for the trunk chop

probably a good bit of foliage above that though right?