Shimpaku juniper

Hi! Here is a juniperus I worked for the first time. Curves are... so I made something a bit strange...

Please tell me!

Who can explain me why there is so few answers on this forum?

It could be because your picture wasn't showing properly. For some reason I couldn't see it until I edited your post and previewed it. Now it works.

Good first styling. I don't think its strange but the top looks a little heavy compared to the rest of the tree.

Kev Bailey wrote:It could be because your picture wasn't showing properly.

Do I make a mistake?

Kev Bailey wrote:
Good first styling. I don't think its strange but the top looks a little heavy compared to the rest of the tree.

Thanks Kev. For the moment I have done nothing on the top. I don't really know how to do it ...

Here is an idea from a bonsai-friend:

Here we are:

I think your friends drawing is the way to go with this tree. I would sit back and take your time with any desicions you decide to make. once something is chopped off its gone so make sure it's what you want. Basicly dont do anything in haste. Good work tho for 1st attemt alot better than my 1st time attempt at styling.

I think that, were this MY tree, I'd shorten that lower branch. You aslo need to clean that shari up. Give the edges more definition, and scrape down to bare wood.

Thanks a lot!

Stan, I spend a long time thinking of it... one of the best advice I had; the tree grows. You just can cut so take your time!

Jim, it is why I let this green thing in the middle of the branch. But now I think I will keep the whole lengh of it.

What do you mean by cleaning the shari up? I can't understand this sentence "scrape down to bare wood".

The exposed wood on the shari should be as "white" and clean as those on the stumps left for jin. Otherwise, the tree looks sloppy. It's mostly cosmetic, but if the edges of the shari are cut cleanly, healing will be cleaner, too.

Ok Jim! Thanks!
There are a few words that I don't understand... like scrape down, bare wood or healing... sorry...
All the dead wood is brand new... so I will clean it!

that bottom branch seems to curve to0 far under the tree--reckon I would bring the lower part more forward or straighten it a little out to the left

guy ward wrote:that bottom branch seems to curve to0 far under the tree--reckon I would bring the lower part more forward or straighten it a little out to the left

Well, thanks Guy. Although I don't understand the word "reckon", I think I agree with you!

I only place the main branches for the moment. When the tree will show he is strong again, I'll continue with the secondary ones and it will make changes. I'll post some other pictures!

Thanks for your advice!

I believe that this juniper needs to have the broad, gull wing shaped curves of its branches made more acute. These types of curves are usually flaws which make the tree look contrived rather than natural design.
Also, it would make more sense to me to have the majority of the foliage mass above the curve in the trunk rather than below the shade of the trunk.

Sorry Alan...
I must say that I speak bad English! I can't understand the figurative meaning of the words!
Well if you wanted to tell me that again in a more accessible language, this would be very nice ...
Thank you Alan!

How about getting yourself a dictionary? I have no problem with the english language anymore but still I always keep a dictionary at hand. You will probably notice that everytime you check out a new word you will remember it forever. it's a very good practise!

I tried the google traductor, what a strange result! The figurative meaning may need more than a dictionnary...

Though, I think it will be very difficult to pull this branch upper...

I think what Alan was trying to tell you is that-- right now-- the foliage hangs down from the branches. The foliage should stand up on top of the branches.

Really? I did not understand at all!

Thanks Vance!