here are some pics.

/Users/JB/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2006/Jan 23, 2006/CIMG1978.JPG

/Users/JB/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2006/Jan 23, 2006_2/CIMG1972.JPG

/Users/JB/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2006/Jan 29, 2006/CIMG2021.JPG

/Users/JB/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2006/Jan 23, 2006_3/CIMG1970.JPG

If you want to change the soil, you'd be better off just to allow the tree (what is it?) more time between waterings at least until spring, then you'll know it's weathered its relocation upheaval, the season will make changes easier on the tree and you'll have had a chance to learn more about it all. You do need to carefully spoon out the soil though til roots are exposed and the wires (usually deeper in the pot) will show themselves. Are you sure there are wires holding it down - do you see them on the bottom of the pot? And if there aren't strong enough roots to warrant wires, then you'll need to make sure the pot is protected from anything but mild breezes til it grows more (you are talking about a tree living outdoors I presume?).

It is a juniper, and it is going to be outside, but i don't quite understand about spooning out the soil. Are you talking about when I repot? I can see wires at the bottom that are going into the pot, but when I tried to dig down a little, I reached the roots before I saw any wires.

-Jonathan

What you reached are roots, but that doesn't mean there aren't more lower down, held by wires.

Okay. However you didn't answer my question about spooning out the soil. When am I supposed to do that and what purpose does it serve? Thanks.

-Jonathan

I just meant get it out carefully if you're worried about wires and roots so you can see what's going on!

all right. thank you.

- Jonathan