California Juniper before and after

Here it is before the work.


Now after. You can see the whole story on my blog by using the link below.

mmmm I do have a litlle problem with the inverse taper, planted like it is now its really eyecatching.
Will you do some carving on the upper shari to solve the problem, if not, I wood have kept it in the position in fotograph 1.

Kind regards
Peter

Absolutely I plan on carving to reduce the bulkiness and lessen the reverse taper.

Would you consider grafting roots further up the life line. In doing so you wouldn't have to reduce the impressive deadwood on this tree to reduce or remove the inverse taper?

I like your juniper. It reminds me of one I marvelled at many times at the National Arboretum.

Harry Hirao's Semi-Cascade California Juniper, is (or was) perhaps one of the most dramatic bonsai at the National Arboretum. Its reverse taper of deadwood is the most prominent feature of this magnificent bonsai. Google "Harry Hirao Cascade Juniper" and you will see what I mean. I think your tree could aspire to this level of bonsai. I would think "long and hard" before reducing the amount of deadwood on your tree.
(I say 'was' because I heard that this tree was suffering and was in sick-bay, perhaps it even died...I'm not sure. Does anyone know about this tree's status?)
Salut, Todd

Thanks. I'm very familar with Harry's Juniper and it is an awesome bonsai(at least I hope it still is). I'll have to ask Harry.
I would love for this tree to reach that level of bonsai. I'll reduce the inverse taper a little but most of the carving will be to reduce the mass of a couple of jins you really can't see. I want to do as much of it as possible by splitting and peeling pieces rather than with power tools. I don't want to mess with the naturalness of the deadwood.
I would not consider grafting roots anywhere. But thats just me.

I think this must be the tree Todd's talking about. I haven't been to the US Arb for some time, so I don't know tha status.


[url=https://servimg.com/view/13427896/480][/url]

Apologies for picture quality. I took this back in the days of film (remember that?) and is a copy of a print.

Thanks for posting this. That is the tree. It use to be in a round pot...or vise versa.
Todd

I feel your restyle looks much more dramatic. I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of taper. It's what makes the tree dramatic. Obviously its not a standard cookie cutter design but more of sculptural effort.

Hi Bob.

Nice work, nice tree.

A little similar.

Pavel

That's a very nice tree, Pavel. I especially like the pot!
Todd

Cool tree , what kind is it?

Here's another CA.Juniper that I'm getting ready to wire,

Hi Todd, thank you. I made the pot in 2006.

Hi Bob- it is Juniperus virginiana - garden yamadori. http://www.bonsaivigi.cz/fotoalbum/tvarovani-a-vyvoj---styling-and-development/juniperus-virginiana-2001--uprava-kmene

Pavel

Normally I have no problem with some inverse taper, but on this tree like it is now its to obvious/eyecatching, it really distracts me from the rest of the tree.

Peter

looks more like a sierra juniper. california juniper has bigger foliage. nice tree though.

Nope not a serria. This came from Jawbone Canyon in So. Cal. Its been in a pot for over twenty years which is why the foliage is so small.

Nice work and nice tree!