Neglected juni... advice?

[Qitianlong]

Hey crew, somehow since becoming a novice bonsai'er everyone suddenly comes around with neglected trees for me to 'fix'!!
This is the latest in this category, 2000 juniperus squamata prostrata, last re-potted in 2006...
I'm tempted to do a lot, but worried as it isn't 'my' tree.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Teja

mitchell 1 resize.jpg

mitchell 2 resize.jpg

[Damian Bee]

I reckon that needs to go in the ground or a box to get some vigour back. It would be great if it would back bud a bit so that you can get some more options with the branches. I like the style but those current branches are a little leggy.

[The Specimen]

If mine i would abstract it as it has great shape for it and would work only left hand side as in pic one n discard much of right hand side via jins though theyd be quite thin

[GavinG]

As you've already figured out, you may need to get very clear with the owners just what they want you to do, and how far they are happy for you to go. It can be a tricky situation - best to have lots of discussions if you can.

There seems to be some greenery still at the base of the branches - possibly the first step is to cut all of the branches back moderately firmly, chase the greenery back closer to the trunk, and slip-pot it into something bigger to allow it to regain some strength. I would not feel happy about root-pruning it this late in the spring, but others might disagree.

Eventually the feature of the tree to concentrate on is the big downwards swoop to the left. The bottom left branch and one of the two right branches distract from that movement, so should eventually go when the tree is stronger.

There is a lot of development work that can be done on this tree - be clear with the owners just how much work and time it is going to take. If they just want it to get green and "nice", you'd slip pot it, cut it back, feed it, repot next spring , then show them how to trim and fertilise it.

Best of luck,

Gavin

[Bonsai4ever]

Feed me.... feed me...

[Qitianlong]

"Eventually the feature of the tree to concentrate on is the big downwards swoop to the left."

Gavin, which swoop? from the top pic or the bottom pic? ie the main trunk swooping back on itself, or the branch swooping off and down to the left on the second pic?
Just found out it is a Koreshoff tree... is their nursery still open in Castle Hill?

[Qitianlong]

If mine i would abstract it as it has great shape for it and would work only left hand side as in pic one n discard much of right hand side via jins though theyd be quite thin

The Specimen... what do you mean by 'abstract'??

[GavinG]

Top pic, main trunk at the top. Koreshoffs no longer trade.

Good luck,

Gavin

[Qitianlong]

ok, so did some minimal pruning and shaping, and got a bigger version of the same pot and will transfer it tonight. the idea of leaving it in the bigger pot for a year, and next september when it is thriving cut it back and put in the original pot, as well as make some changes to the tree. pic A is the standard front... should pic B be used instead as the front? looking from the top you see that the bulk of the tree is on side B... and should I keep it running directly horizontally across the pot, or rather skew it a bit, so the butt is in the back corner and the point is in the opposite front corner??

mitchell front.jpg

mitchell back.jpg

mitchell top view.jpg

[Jag01]

OK

I have been lurking a while now, I guess it is time to actually reply and give an opion (for what ever it is worth). You are in a difficult situation not being your tree. As others have said you need to be very clear with the owners as to what outcome they are wanting and in what period of time.

If the want the tree in good health and like the general styling of the tree as it is, then in reality you should probably do the minimum to restore it's health and tidy it's appearance. I would not be looking to re-style. Tease the extremities of the roots out a little, pot it into a larger pot, cut back the length of all branches to tighten the whole tree a little but maintain the same shape and feed, feed , feed! Talk to the owners and teach them about pinching technique for new growth.

If they give you poetic license to re-style the tree then that is a completely different poposition. Personally the first thing I would do would once again to pot out to a bigger pot. Heavily feed until such time as you have some fresh new growth and then cut back all branches HARD to to the first greenery on each branch. As for which front is better, personally either would work, however the first that that I would do is shorten the main trunk where it turn through 90 degs and starts to swoop down and allow the current apex to develop. If the main trunk is allowed to remain it will alway thicken more rapidly the the side branches and therefore there will never be the appearance of a taper from base to apex.


Just my 2c worth.

Cheers,

Jeff

[mal]

Are my eyes play up
B side looks good to me, after a year of feeding things could change.

[Qitianlong]

Thanks crew! Yes it is hard working on a tree that is not your own. It seems doing less is harder... I like side B too...

[Qitianlong]

Done for now... we'll see how it looks next year.

Mitchell final - resized.jpg

[Qitianlong]

just an update, the owner just sent me this pic, seems to be enjoying its bigger pot and being fed!

mitchell juni Dec 2012.jpg

[Boics]

Well done Qit.

That has really sprung back.
I'm amazed at the bulk that has been put on in such a short time frame.

Tree actually has some great potential.
For my 2c I'd like to see a few less branches and a few more Jins!
Maybe a project for it's next holiday at your house