Japanese Box......a nice pickup

[dannynovo]

I was out looking for native stock at the local Nursery the other day when i came across a japanese Box (Buxus Microphylla)...the attraction was the trunk and root system that looked like it was from an older tree....anyway i purchased it for $16.00.
The trunk diameter is 18mm, overall height of 340mm and the height to the apex is 90mm with 3 branches extending. I will choose the thickess branch as the leader and chop the other 2.
As of yet I haven't looked at styles, but i'm sure with what is available on Aus Bonsai and other material out there I will eventually settle on a style that appeals to me.

have attached pics for view and comments.....

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Danny

[dannynovo]

Opps double up of pic....attached is the right one....

007.JPG

Danny

[lennard]

If you are happy with the thickness of the trunk and the available roots you could select the branch for the trunkline but if not you should let the tree grow freely for a while to thicken up.

Once you do the chops and pot it in a bonsai pot thickening of the trunk stops almost entirely!!!

Lennard

[dannynovo]

Lennard,
I gave the Buxus a bit of a trim yesterday, mainly the outer growth to see if anything jumps out at me..... not yet anyways...
Trunk thickness and Nebari are in proportion (i think), so i'm quiet happy to put it in a Bonsai pot .....after I choose styling...
I will attach pics of the trim later today for comment and criticism..

Danny

[dannynovo]

Attached Pics of trim made to foliage.... (hope i wasnt to indulgent)
still looking at the larger branch as the new trunkline as it has a nice little kick (opinions welcomed).
Also happy with the front view...

a (proposed front).JPG

[dannynovo]

Geeeeeeeeeeeez, didnt get all the pics on....

Danny

c (right side).JPG

d (back top view).JPG

b (left side).JPG

[lennard]

From what I can make out from the pictures I really do believe that everything above the two thinner lowest branches are all wrong.

To make it in a broomish style I would chop just above the two lowest branches and for an informal I would do the chop at the same place but keep only one branch as a new leader.

Lennard

[dannynovo]

Lennard,
I follow what you are saying....can you elaborate on why it looks all wrong above the lower branches?
I was looking at removing those lower branches to emphasise trunk height and choosing 2 of the upper limbs to built on...

I really do appreciate your knowledge and input.

Danny

[lennard]

Danny, you could go with the higher branches but then you will loose some "age".

Then you would also have to cut back those two branches very heavily - almost 1cm from the trunk to correct the fact that the branches higher up are almost too thick already.

If you go for the two higher branches you will have to let one of the lower ones grow freely for a while to try and correct the (as far as I can see on the photo), the slight reverse taper where the next two branches originate.

Looking at all the pictures again, if it were my tree, I would choose a new trunkline as you suggested, cut off all the thicker branches, except one of the lower ones to help build the nebari, and regrow all the branches you need. Where taper is a problem you can use sacrifice branches.

And I will pot it in a bigger container for a season or two.


Lennard

[dannynovo]

Lennard,
I can now visulise what you are saying.....
I will keep the smallest of the 3 upper branches....wire to give some movement....keep the 2 lower branches as sacrificial limbs and repot for a season and see what happens...

thanks again...and i'll keep you posted as i'm sure there is a nice tree there somewhere.

Danny