x-media shimpaku- how to style?

[doonbar]

Hi all

I picked this little juni up at a local nursery. It was labelled x-media shimpaku.
As you can see it divides into 3 shoots from the main trunk and im at a crossroads as to where to start!

Any help on styling would be great!

Cheers
Ryan

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[craigw60]

Hi Ryan, there is a couple of problems with your tree which need to be sorted first. The three trunks start from above ground level, generally with multiple trunk trees all the trunks should emerge from the ground. The second prob. is that you have three trunks all growing from the same point which will in the long term cause a swelling at that point, that is the trunk will become thicker there than below the three trunks.
I am assuming you want a smaller size tree.
To my eye the left hand trunk is the one to keep. It has the lowest branches and in keeping it you will get a nice curve at the base of the tree. If you wire that trunk you could put more curves into it to create consistent movement up the trunk.
With regards to the other 2 trunks I would remove the centre trunk and use the right hand trunk as a sacrifice branch to thicken the base of the tree. You could tie this branch down with wire to keep it away from the selected trunk.
With regards to branch selection I wouldn't be too concerned just yet, get the trunk selection process under way allow the tree to recover from its surgery and start growing freely then think about which branches to keep and which to remove. I am always of the opinion that its better to keep lots of branches on a young tree. They can easily be removed as the tree matures but are very difficult to put back.
Hopefully my post will spur others to add to my suggestions.
Craig

[anttal63]

Chop, raffia, wire, crank it over and ya the makings of a great little shohin.
next time bigger pics please.

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[doonbar]

Hi Ryan, there is a couple of problems with your tree which need to be sorted first. The three trunks start from above ground level, generally with multiple trunk trees all the trunks should emerge from the ground. The second prob. is that you have three trunks all growing from the same point which will in the long term cause a swelling at that point, that is the trunk will become thicker there than below the three trunks.
I am assuming you want a smaller size tree.
To my eye the left hand trunk is the one to keep. It has the lowest branches and in keeping it you will get a nice curve at the base of the tree. If you wire that trunk you could put more curves into it to create consistent movement up the trunk.
With regards to the other 2 trunks I would remove the centre trunk and use the right hand trunk as a sacrifice branch to thicken the base of the tree. You could tie this branch down with wire to keep it away from the selected trunk.
With regards to branch selection I wouldn't be too concerned just yet, get the trunk selection process under way allow the tree to recover from its surgery and start growing freely then think about which branches to keep and which to remove. I am always of the opinion that its better to keep lots of branches on a young tree. They can easily be removed as the tree matures but are very difficult to put back.
Hopefully my post will spur others to add to my suggestions.
Craig

Cheers for the comment. very helpful indeed. i have a large grow box i intend on putting in into for a while. Im new to this so im not 100% sure what a sacrifice branch does? does it help thicken the trunk or?

[Chris Sirre]

Hi Ryan, there is a couple of problems with your tree which need to be sorted first. The three trunks start from above ground level, generally with multiple trunk trees all the trunks should emerge from the ground. The second prob. is that you have three trunks all growing from the same point which will in the long term cause a swelling at that point, that is the trunk will become thicker there than below the three trunks.
I am assuming you want a smaller size tree.
To my eye the left hand trunk is the one to keep. It has the lowest branches and in keeping it you will get a nice curve at the base of the tree. If you wire that trunk you could put more curves into it to create consistent movement up the trunk.
With regards to the other 2 trunks I would remove the centre trunk and use the right hand trunk as a sacrifice branch to thicken the base of the tree. You could tie this branch down with wire to keep it away from the selected trunk.
With regards to branch selection I wouldn't be too concerned just yet, get the trunk selection process under way allow the tree to recover from its surgery and start growing freely then think about which branches to keep and which to remove. I am always of the opinion that its better to keep lots of branches on a young tree. They can easily be removed as the tree matures but are very difficult to put back.
Hopefully my post will spur others to add to my suggestions.
Craig

Cheers for the comment. very helpful indeed. i have a large grow box i intend on putting in into for a while. Im new to this so im not 100% sure what a sacrifice branch does? does it help thicken the trunk or?

Hi Doonbar,

That's right, the sacrifice branch will help thicken the trunk. A large poly box is fine for your tree to grow in for a couple of years. Like Graig said focus on the trunk for now. This is the main part of a bonsai. The branches will follow later. Good luck.
Chris

[craigw60]

Hi Ryan, a sacrifice branch is kept for the sole purpose of thickening the trunk. It will only thicken the part of the trunk below it. These branches are best kept away from the main tree so as not to deprive it of light and air movement. I often attach a wire to the pot and pull the branch down so its well clear of the part of the tree I intend to work with.
Craig

[doonbar]

cool. I have lots to think about now. thanks to all for the help. will keep this updated.
*edit* when is the best time to prune this type of tree? late winter? spring? Im in canberra so its get quite cool. down to -1 in the south at the moment.

Cheers
Ryan