Juniper progression

The current spate of wet weather has had me greenhouse bound and therefore able to do a bit of tidy up work on a juniper I have had for about 4 years. This is it taken a year or so ago. I had toyed for some time with the notion of losing the branch to the right and after a chat with sensei Steve, I took the plunge. The plastic bag you can just see (now that I've drawn your attention to it) is an air layer attempt:




This is how it looked at club night the other week - in bad need of a haircut and some styling but now having had its limb severed. The shari was also needing some attention being fairly non-descript:




And then, options opened up. I always saw it as at a tilt like this:




But the guys at club night saw it the other way:




Hmmm.

So, I opened up the shari slightly and discovered that a future problem might be that the inner part is rotting to the extent that there is already a hollow.

There remains the issue of that tilt however, and I throw this one open to the forum.

This way?:



Or this?:




With virtual new pot:



Or somewhere in the middle? I personally am now leaning towards the one on the left. Canopy still needs a bit of work which I'll do once I'm sure of the tilt direction. Thoughts anyone?

Canopy on the right picture seems to be missing something. The left on looks much better.

I agree: the one on the left is my favourite.

Great job you've done.

Do you plan to leave the canopy a rounded shape, or do you plan to have more distinct pads of foliage in the future?

Fiona,, I would go for the left picture.the tree to me looks more balenced tilted that way not just chopped off with the gin on the right..a lot more natureal .i would also leave the foliage not padded it is a good looking juniper ,nice carving a good tree .my opion john

Howzit Fiona,

Do the left. It really has a nice movement and your choice of pot seems to work well.

A Hui Hou,
-Tim

I think the one on the left also. Trees always tend to get more upright near the top of the tree. I also think you shouldn't make the foliage into pads. It looks very natural with a full canopy.

I'm for the second choice

dear, i will vote for left one because it looks more natural and balanced.....otherwise rightone needs some more work to make it balanced...

Hello Ms Fiona:) I love your juniper. I hope you will be receptive to a short video sharing an idea or two.




John

Left for me too Fiona. Better movement and balance. Lovely tree by the way and I like the rot through the middle.

MAYBE -- just maybe -- this is something like what John was talking about.

Hi Fiona.

Very nice tree. The left image has a natural movement. Beautiful dynamics.

Pavel

Left side pic seems to be the clear favourite and, as you can probably guess from the chalk marks on the original pot, was my preferred angle too. Thanks to all for comments and especially John G for taking the time to do the short video, and also to that lovely Jim Lewis for the virt.

Now I seem to have opened up a new debate re foliage pads vs more open structure.

I do agree with John G that it has to be reduced, and I will reduce it but probably not quite as much as 50%. Mebbe settle for about 25-35%. Taking on board John's comment about the "backstory" being of a tree which has suffered substantial damage/lightning strike, I think the more natural canopy would suit it.

But I'm still open to persuasion if there are any other virtmeisters out there who fancy a go.

Hi Fiona,

Sorry, but I tried a little to adjust your tree. Maybe you will like.



Pavel

Very nice Pavel!! That certainly takes this piece to the next level.

Be brave Ms. Fiona;)

J

Nice video, John, and nice virtual Pavel!

Hi Fiona.

Even small adjustments.



Pavel

Now I'm beginning to like this.

Thanks Pavel. I was not at all convinced that the organised pad approach would work, but I think I see exactly where this is coming from. Interestingly, I initially saw the mass of the foliage down the left side of the tree, but now .... oh WAY too many decisions so early in the morning.

One thing I am noticing in the two virts is the complete elimination of the back branch. I think that is a vital first step.

Hi Fiona, I would agree with Nik on the second photo for a new planting angle. I think that both options are ok, however, moving the canopy to the right I can not see the way how to create a harmony between the crown and the main jin - on the virtuals I DO NOT like the crossing of both elements. Therefore (if you are convinced to keep the jin), I would prefer the option to the left (as I suggest on my quick virtual) where all three jins make much more sense and, consequently, more dramatic image of tree is created. Just my humble opinion.

Thank you very much for this virtual, Lukas. I said way back at the start of this thread that I originally thought that the new planting angle should be the way you have it. And your virtual is pretty much what I envisaged for the tree before all the new suggestions came in.

Another item for considering before making a decision.

Thanks again - appreciate your input.

I liked the initial slant that you did, Fiona, but felt that the foliage/canopy would have to be trained further right to compensate for the angle change -sort of what Lukas has done with his virtual.
p.s. - no tonic, I just liked the word-play.

It is also important to think about the possibility of the imposition of the pot. How it will be placed.

Pavel

Pretty virt, but perhaps the foliage is still a bit too neat for a tree which "obviously" has suffered the vicissitudes of the wild weather on a mountaintop.

Both are fine by me but I prefer Lukas virtual. It shows off the best elements of the tree.

Yer heed il be turned pickin one