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San Jose juniper (Juniperus san jose)

I bought several of these complex pieces from Hollow Creek Farm a few years ago because of their wonderful chaotic trunks and masses of deadwood - or potential for deadwood, at least. They are not easy to conquor, but once done, the results are extremely pleasing. Care must be taken when working this species - they are far more brittle than you would expect of a juniper and branches do snap clean remarkably easily!

Photo: November 2007