One of my favorite Sierra junipers doesn’t fit neatly into any categories. It’s form is somewhere between informal upright and semi-cascade. The base of the trunk is massive, but the apical foliage extends from a slender, twisting branch. I can’t say I’ve figured the tree out, but I enjoy trying. Ancient Sierra juniper The tree […]
Sierra juniper
A very twisty Sierra juniper
I had a chance this week to visit some of my favorite Sierra junipers. The best known of these trees is pictured below. A very twisty Sierra juniper The tree is compact and twisty, revealing different characteristics when viewed from different angles. From the east, the trunk appears massive and relatively straight. A single, sinuous […]
Repotting a collected Sierra juniper
For those who have worked with a lot of collected junipers, this post can be summed up with two photos. Sierra juniper before repotting- 31″ tall Sierra juniper after repotting I acquired this tree in the pot pictured at top so I assumed there were some important roots that emerged quite a ways from the […]
A small step: removing supports on a collected Sierra juniper
Toward the end of last winter I repotted a large Sierra juniper. Because it was planted at an angle, I used blocks to support the tree and keep if from tipping out of the pot. Now that the roots have grown in, it’s time to remove the supports. Sierra juniper – 32″ Support blocks After […]
Repotting a collected Sierra juniper
When everything goes just right, a tree collected from the mountains begins to grow and gain vigor. After a while, it’s ready to begin the journey of becoming a bonsai. The Sierra juniper below is showing strong signs of vigor. Although it’s strong enough to begin styling work, I wanted to know what I was […]