young juniperus squamata
- jeroen03
-
Offline Topic Author
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 22
- Thanks received: 1
i have a juniperus squamata for about a year now and it is growing very wel. because it is a smal tree people have told me to pinch outer buds. i am using this technique but there are still some branches wich grow without side branches. that makes ugly branching in the tree. i have pinched them to but it doesn't work. should i cut em? and how far from main branch.
because its a juniper i assume it is still safe to prune, even if it starting to become fall.
hope you like the tree and comments are always welcome.
the pictures i show u are several stages of growth and design in one year.
tomorrow i will rewire the tree, maby update will come!
grts jeroen
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- manofthetrees
-
Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1070
- Thanks received: 193
first i would sugjest some reserch on timing to do a hard prune...i have been reserching the topic lately for alot of species so i cant remember if its spring or fall for junis im leaning towards spring but ?...
anyways you will have to prune all branches to the first offshoot this will begin branch tapering ...when it looks like it does now again , its time to prune again
keep in mind what your pinching has done and use that knowlege next season.
i like the beginings of this one nice job

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- kittyvlekkie
-
Offline
- Premium Member
-
- Posts: 127
- Thanks received: 5
keep on going!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- jeroen03
-
Offline Topic Author
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 22
- Thanks received: 1
my idea for the next year is to search wrong branches between the two trees. like two on same height or... and the ones im keeping let it grow vigouresly. the tree doesnt have much woody growth so the main branches need to thicken and less green.

@kitty: these pictures are the same tree. on the first picture i bent the smallest tree down with idea to cut of. later i have put it up and made a twin trunk.
thx for reply; sry for english

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Youri1995
-
Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 460
- Thanks received: 46

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- kittyvlekkie
-
Offline
- Premium Member
-
- Posts: 127
- Thanks received: 5
@kitty: these pictures are the same tree. on the first picture i bent the smallest tree down with idea to cut of. later i have put it up and made a twin trunk.
i know but with the second tree i ment the right one, and by the way i want to correct your only mistake.
reserching is spelled like researching.
your english is nearly perfect apart from that error.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- manofthetrees
-
Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1070
- Thanks received: 193
the tree doesnt have much woody growth so the main branches need to thicken and less green
more foliage means more energy which leads to thicker branches so, if you cut back to a branched section 1 branch splits to 2 and thats twice the foliage,2 branches split to 4 and so on. starting this early on will give the branches much more character in the future ( they wont be straight sticks)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- jeroen03
-
Offline Topic Author
- Junior Member
-
- Posts: 22
- Thanks received: 1
i know more foliage gives more energy but i think when u cut your branches back early (young tree) u will have more branching for growth but less energy in the tree. that means that the tree will be more stressed and will grow less. means less thickening and less woody growth.
i think in the beginning it is best to let it grow big but with selected branches and prune back later. this way u will have a better (thicker/ older looking)startingmaterial to work with and later in overal a better bonsai. (i mean most bonsai, not just this one.)
am i right?
im really happy how the tree looks (maby bitt to much branches between the two trees?) atm. i want this one to stay with me for a while. i do bonsai for a year now, and have this tree with me sinds the beginning.
two summers is a big difference for it sinds first styling. because of that i understand the value of aging and how important it is to have a tree more than 20 years. it doesnt need to be pretty now, needs to be beatifull in 20 years. can see this on this juniper, i did not wire the top (doesn't make a difference).
hihi

grts jeroen
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- manofthetrees
-
Offline
- Platinum Member
-
- Posts: 1070
- Thanks received: 193
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gnarlwood
-
Offline
- Premium Member
-
- Posts: 109
- Thanks received: 21
I pruned both my spruce and they're holding their own thus far. However, dont be sad if a plant dies. There are plenty more to practice on and many more seasons to grow in experience.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.