u/TrizzleBizzle

I finally took the plunge and bought this shimpaku (undetermined variety) from a fellow club member in early spring. I was looking for something established so I could work on techniques my other trees are not ready for yet.

I let it grow during the first few months in my care, fertilized and rotated to ensure good sun exposure. I recently brought it to a study group and was given great advice to wire and then thin it out.

I left the first branch fuller to balance the energy vs the apex, and I'm growing out a shoot to make a pad in the jins just below the apex.

My wiring probably could be better, but I felt like my wiring improved from when I started to the finish. Will be doing copper next time.

Pictures are After/Before, and an inspiration photo I found in a Golden Statements issue from almost 20 years ago

Would love to hear any ideas and advice!

I got these Procumbens Nana last September. After the initial styling I left it alone aside from fertilizing until about 2 weeks ago when I did cleanup and removed a few more flaws I was uncomfortable removing during the initial styling.

I spent the last few days wiring everything out. The only thing I'm really kicking myself about is removing the branches right in the middle of both trunk lines and not leaving as much for jin. I'll likely incorporate them into the shari when the time comes.

Leaving it alone for the remainder of the growing season, aside from checking wire, with the goal to get them in training pots next spring

Feedback appreciated!