Juniperus communis evolution

Above is tree as I received it in 2014. I thought it an attractive tree, with potential but it needed some work. Over time the trunk was cranked in and down to compact the overall height and add to the movement of the tree. 
I pruned and wired the entire tree, and Harry Harrington did an amasing job of laying out the branches and creating this image below.  

Although I love this image, and it was a vast improvement, the taller apex bothered me, as it was too far from the tree's centre of gravity and made the tree look unbalanced. It was decided in 2017 to remove this apex / trunk, and work with the smaller of the two, which will also make more of the trunk and superb (ne agari) exposed roots.

​The larger trunk was skinned by Lee V and the dead wood burned and repositioned closer to the apex. It is still in the process of 'setting', so the deadwood will spring back a little when the bracing wire is removed. Once settled, the deadwood will be treated with lime sulphur. 

The tree was bare-rooted in February '18, with all of the old soil removed (I usually do within a year of getting a new tree). This will vastly improve the drainage, watering capabilities, and aeration of the soil, and the tree will thank me for it! This new round pot with eight exquisite incised 'corners' is by Yukizyou Nakano, 'Gyouzan'.

I am very happy with this new image and once the foliage pads fill out and the jin are lime sulphured, I believe this will be a wonderful tree!