Pyracantha

This is the shrub from landscape nursery. I've worked on it 2yrs, suggestions and opinions please!-----John

Not bad for a stiff old Pyracantha.

I think I would shorten it. That'll make the trunk and base look a bit heftier.

I also would cut those branches back to a pair of leaves, in the HOPES of getting something other than arrow-straight, spiky branches. Try to work for a zig-zag branch through clip and grow.

JIM,, YOU are saying cut all the branches back to almost stubs?? am i understanding or do you mean just the top branches??? my daughter came today so i took advanage of her computer skills,,,that is why there are so many post and i wanted to know what was best for my so call bonsai thank you john

Hi John, I would consider bringing down the first right branch somehow. It looks like there is a side branch towards the back that could be brought around front to start a new leader for this low branch. Cut the sickle shaped section of thick branch off. If, however, there isn't a branch to start the leader (kind of hard to tell exactly in the photo...) I would still bring down the first right branch. Pyracantha are brittle. I would consider wrapping at least half of the branch in raffia starting from the base going outwards, then cut the base of the branch on the top no more than 1/3 and then pull it down. It will heal in place.
You might be able to bring the branch down with a wire attached to the pot.Or even consider cracking the branch, to bring it down. IMHO the curved-sickle part of the right branch is not something you want to keep anyway because it lacks taper. Just some thoughts. I'm sure you are aware of the thorns. I'm still healing from pyracantha sticks from two weeks ago; I was being very careful too The nebari looks very promising. This can become a very nice twin trunk. Putting it in the ground would really thicken it up! Salut, Todd

Rather than wire it, I would prune branches severely, then guide new growth. Wiring these is dangerous.

What do you think now??

I like it! Good skeleton to build foliage pads and refined branching.

Thank you TODD,, I think i did what was advised..hope it works out..thanks john