FOREWORD BY THE AUTHOR: I will start this article with the statement that everything written here is based solely on my own experience and observations, here in middle England, with Meyeri and Blue Carpet cultivars and that I have no formal training in horticulture. What prompts me to write an article on such a specific subject?  Having taken part in the recent styling contest on bonsaiTALK and the subsequent voting on the completed entries, I could see that many of the entrants seemed to have difficulty with styling the branches on junipers that have needle foliage.

1. Introduction

Admittedly, to develop mature looking branching and foliage clouds on Juniperus squamata  is not a short-term project, but with a little work, convincing results can be achieved from the outset.

I normally start this procedure in mid to late spring, about three weeks after the new growth has started to push out.

Lets start with a few vital pointers:

1. Don’t try and style a tree that is not in perfect health. The procedure described here is potentially stressful to the tree and you could easily do irreparable damage to a tree if it already stressed.
2. Don’t use this method of styling on a tree that has had extensive root work done. The tree needs to be able to produce prolific growth in the period after styling.
3. Make sure the scissors or shears you use are sharp! A clean cut is less likely to promote disease.
4. Most important of all, have a plan! You will need to have a final image in mind when you start.
5. If you are not sure if a shoot or branch is needed, leave it there for now. You can always lose it later, but it’s not easy to stick them back on once they are cut off.

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