I had always been a bit terrified of Hinoki as ive read that they are so difficult to work with. Bjorn and bonsaiU have helped me realize that it’s a bit of a myth. I fully bare rooted mine and kept solid aftercare and it’s recovered quite well.
After. 
. Maybe it needs more work.
i think if you want that second apex to be more prominent you might need to remove the right sided branch at the tip of the main apex and wire the second apex up into its place.Thanks for the feedback Bobby!
Here’s a quick look at my attempted twin apex.
View attachment 396016
Although, like a joke, it loses its meaning when you have to explain it
It’s a nice start. A couple of initial observations: It seems like you removed more needles than was necessary, which may slow its recovery. The tertiary branches should be organized into more defined pads and the tips of the branches shouldn’t continue to descend. They should come up slightly at the end. This tree has a nice strong trunk. If you want to highlight that, the plan for the future should be to compact the image with dense pads close to the trunk, and get it in a smaller container. I think the second apex will be a nice feature. More cohesive pads will make it more obvious. Nice tree!
I like it. I think it just needs proper time to develop pads. And all we have is time!
Really love that Ponderosa Pine! Awesome work!
Slow grower? StrangeHaven’t really touched this tree for several years. Such a slow grower.
Before work:
View attachment 457126
and after:
View attachment 457125
Might take this to Bjorn’s and get his thoughts.
All the strength is at the top, but I really like the bottom half.
We’ll see.
At least it’s still alive
. All here need sprouts, buds removed every year because of crowding. Maybe not long growth but constant ramifying
. Very very cool tree. Wonderful trunk and jins. Any idea who collected this?
I see a great semi cascade there, but I'd want to really crank that left branch down and back toward the trunk and move the main trunk and apex to the left. I'm not surprised it's a slow grower with you... I lost a wonderful Pondie down in GA- it took 4-5 years after the move from MA but needle cast and overall lack of vigor caight up with it. If I could do it all over again, I'd get it into a much larger aggregate soil heavy with pumice and I'd be using fungicides year round. Good luck as that is fantastic material.Haven’t really touched this tree for several years. Such a slow grower.
Before work:
View attachment 457126
and after:
View attachment 457125
Might take this to Bjorn’s and get his thoughts.
All the strength is at the top, but I really like the bottom half.
We’ll see.
At least it’s still alive
what did you do for after care since you bare rooted it?
Thanks!
There’s just something about a ramrod straight Hinoki..
