Lenz J. virginiana Restyle

This is a J. virginiana that I got from my teacher, Nick Lenz last year. It was collected from the Sunderland cliffs in 1995. I was dissatisfied with the branch structure (no back branches) and the boring trunk line, but I really like the interplay of the live veins and the deadwood. Given the dramatic base, it seemed to be suited to a cascade form, so that's where I took it.







I have only directed the main branches as yet (not the fine shoots) so it is still a bit rough-looking. It will be repotted into the cascade pot this weekend. It has a long way to go and future growth will correct the proportions, but I believe I have a viable line for the future of this tree. I wonder what Nick will think (gulp).

Kind regards,
Andy

I hope the nebari is kind to your vision for a cascade style. I like the thick trunked tree, in the shallow light colored pot, on the back bench in the first picture. Is it an elm?
Best,
Todd

It's a juniperus virginiana or virginia juniper or eastern red cedar.

And a nice one at that which is rare.

Please post updates. These grow all over the place where I leave, but I've usually been discouraged from collecting them because of their well known foliage issues.

I've only seen one other decent example.

Excellent transformation Andy. The tree before transformation was just about below par but this transformation has taken it quiet a few notches above par. Great work. Do post images once you are done with wiring the rest of the branches and also repotted the tree. Shall look forward to the same.

Ravi

Below par? Slightly above par? I think the tree was great and still is. Definetly well above par. I especially like the deadwood apex on the restyle. Considering the high murder rate of Nick trees, I think Nick would approve as long as it lives on.

Mighty Lenz probably had evil schemes of Shimpakian Gwafting but didnt want to paddle up that 15 yr. stream. It would be exquiste if you did though.

Todd Ellis wrote:I hope the nebari is kind to your vision for a cascade style. I like the thick trunked tree, in the shallow light colored pot, on the back bench in the first picture. Is it an elm?

Thanks Todd. Yes, the tree in the background is a U. parvifolia that I'm remaking. Here's the same tree featured earlier this year:
https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t5197-starting-over-with-a-mature-broom-elm

Kind regards,
Andy

crust wrote:Mighty Lenz probably had evil schemes of Shimpakian Gwafting but didnt want to paddle up that 15 yr. stream. It would be exquiste if you did though.

Mmm, that's a good thought. I've got lots of Itoigawa and Kiishu growing in various pots that are just begging to be placed onto a mature trunk. I will certainly think on that.

Kind regards,
Andy

Nice progress, and wonder tree ! Take care about him

Here's the repotted J. virginiana

I have opted to leave the shoots largely untouched so that the tree can recover from the drastic work done thus far. I'll style the shoots in the coming winter as they demonstrate vigor this year.

Well I personally think that the transformation has worked very well. Can I take it you had to bury and/or chop a fair bit of the long section of nebari to get it that far down into the pot?

Nice work.

Thanks Fiona. There was actually no drastic work required to fit it into the pot. There was, of course, the requisite chopstick-prop system required to support the specific angle in order to hold position, but it was surprisingly easy to repot. I worry only about 1) the health of the plant due to the reduction in foliage (my experience w/virginiana tells me to not worry at all), and 2) my teacher's reaction at the drastic realignment of the tree's future.

I've sent Nick a photo today. I await his evaluation. I wait on pins and needles. :-/

IMHO ... seeing it repotted into its new home ... you made the right choice!