Not criticizing what was done here or the results, just adding my point of view.

I have experienced problems with drastically pruning junipers which has not been mentioned (and I did not even prune to this degree). Even if the tree lives (and I agree a healthy tree can generally survive this treatment) it can get very weak for several seasons really slowing the development process.

Therefore I stopped such drastic pruning. I prune moderately over the course of several seasons and arrive at a desired result in approx. the same time with 2 advantages. One, I didn't compromise the health of the tree and secondly I was able to evaluate the design over several seasons.

Also in my area, a juniper that was stressed like this is going to be attacked by spider mites or scale further slowing the development process.

Someone said something that struck me "the slow way is the fast way." Just my two cents however I tend to be conservative with training so my advice is not for everyone.

Greetings and Welcome. Unfortunately this board has slowed down with many of the posters leaving. I visit a few times a week with the hope of it coming back. It was... And could be a great place.

Enjoy your journey with Bonsai. Knowledge is key. Take the time to learn. If you can locate a Bonsai Club or Study Group near you. It makes a world of difference to be able to talk to people face to face and to have the ability to bring your trees no matter how humble to get help. Even if it is a bit far and you go only once in a while it will make a differance.
Check for local Bonsai Shows, I know the Mid Atlantic is outside Hartford Ct in April. Try and go, even if for a day visit.

Learn what is necessary to keep your trees alive. Learn what you can do and what you can't. And learn how much you can do at one time. Most of us believe that patience is an extremely useful tool. I notice you posted on another thread. That tree was drastically worked in one sitting. I question whether it lived.  Perhaps the owner was able to keep it alive but I strongly doubt it. He patient with you trees and seek advise......remember we all can look like experts online.
Best of luck in you journey
My two cents
Jay

Hello all. Thank you for the welcome. My name is Ric. I’m from Queens, NY. I’ve loved Bonsai For as long as I could remember! I was in my early teens The first time I set my eyes on a Bonsai.  I was completely captivated. And as you can imagine I purchased my first small tree. Planted it in a pot with a mud like soil from my yard and before you know it the tree died. I was completely disheartened. After that I didn’t touch a Bonsai for almost 20 years.
However, my story didn’t end there. Later in my life While In the Marine Corps I had the pleasure to visit and live in Okinawa and Tokyo for 7 months. It was there where I fell in love with Bonsai again. And slowly but surely I attempted to learn as much as I could (and not attempting to have any trees) and hitting a few bumps along the way. I own some Pine, Spruce and Deciduous trees in developmental stage. Often I think I am NOT working on the tree, but rather the tree on me because it’s never about me knowing all I can. This is why I am here. I want to continue to learn and grow from others. So once again thank you for having me.


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Hi All

A friend of mine gave me a what looked like dead tree so I’ve given it some love and it seems to be coming around.
Trouble is I have no idea what it is ?

Any help would be appreciated

Daniel

ALL,
Does or has anyone trained a Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa). I have spotted a grove of them and decided this year is the year to layer one!.
Thanks,
Sincerely,
Kevin J