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Step One: Clean Up

Step One Clean Up 
It will be impossible to make any effective decisions about the styling of the tree until is possible to ascertain what the existing  trunk shape and branch placement is.  The first task is, therefore, to clean up the tree.  Start by removing the bamboo stake and then begin cleaning out all dead needles and other debris from the interior of the tree.  One of the things which make junipers good mate- rial for bonsai is they readily develop new growth on old wood.  This is a good characteristic for any bonsai subject to have.  However, initially a great deal of this rampant budding along the trunk must be removed in order to see the trees shape.  Start at the bottom of the tree and begin removing green buds and suckers which obstruct your
view of the trunk.  At the same time remove green growth from the interior of each branch an inch or so thus allowing you to see the position of each branch as it relates to the trunk. Once you have completed this task you will be able to clearly see the shape of the trunk and where each of the branches emerge around it.  Next, dig gently at the base of the trunk and remove soil until you find the point at which the roots begin to flare outward.  This will be the base of your new bonsai.


(The material must first be cleaned up so that you can see the trunk shape and position of branches along the trunk.  Remove dead plant material and sucker growth along the trunk and about an inch out the base of each branch.) 

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