I am not sure as to what species this juniper is so I am posting here. I am guessing it may be common juniper?, as I dug this from my front yard yesterday in Northwestern Missouri, nursery stock planted before I moved in. We have lived here for the past 9 years and it was here when we bought the place along with 3 others, also dug. I have removed almost all branches that were dead or dying.

The rootball on this one along with the others were very shallow in the ground. 4 inches max. It was very easy to remove. Pretty much just popped right out of the ground.

Should I leave it as is for the next year to grow freely or should I remove anymore of the foliage?

Chris

Hi Chris,
Based on the foliage, I believe that is a Tam Juniper ( Juniperus sabina ‘Tamariscifolia). I have worked with a couple. They are all over the place in Southern California landscapes. I don't see them used much as bonsai though. The foliage doesn't compact like shimpaku, procumbens etc. Mine all end up being a shakan (slanted) style or windswept. They seem to favor those styles. I also would give it time to get use to it's new home before you do much work. I will tether branches on newly dug trees but never wire them right away. That's just me though. Others may disagree.

Hi Tona. Hopefully the foliage on this one will not be to big. Wasn't really sure if there was even potential bonsai here in this one but I saw interest in the trunk and it had to be removed anyway. My wife hates the smell of them and wanted boxwoods and azaleas in front of the house. I had two options really. Pot them or trash them and I did not want to just through them in the yard waste pile. Thanks for the info.
Chris