Dwarf hinoki progress

[brentwood]

This is literally my first bonsai, wanting to document a little, maybe get input. I probably pushed the foliage out too far early on it, hoping the tree grows into the lower branches or I remove was it gets larger. I picked up in 2017.
Any suggestions to where you'd see this going? I tend to go slant, will else being equal.
Also, considered briefly moving to the smaller pot in last picture - I think it's too early, too small. Keeping in current pot, should I expect much more size?

Thanks!
B

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

You’ve a decent basic style going, so maybe you should go with your instincts. Same for the other pot choice.

I tend to wire evergreen branch’s down a bit, then up at the tip. Avoid bar branches in the lower three branches.

You likely know Hinokis don’t back bud easily, so act accordingly.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[brentwood]

I did make some questionable choices on branches down low - that's part of my thinking on growing it out more, feel I can lose them more easily on a bigger tree.
Still trying to resolve the top.

Thanks,
B

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Perhaps think about looking down just below that mess of foliage for the apex?

Best
DSD sends

 

[Japonicus]

This would be a safe approach while you decide which bottom branches to remove.
Very few branches removed, but yes a few, mostly clean up underneath. Create negative space.
It's looking good and you've kept it healthy over the last 5 yrs.

Keeping in current pot, should I expect much more size?

Some over several years, but it is a dwarf and will prove itself as such.
I would not down pot yet.

 

[brentwood]

I cleaned it up a little today, will take some time this week and wire - am settled on leaving in the current pot at least another season.. still staring at the top inch, will see what happens when I get the wire out.

Thanks for suggestions,
B

 

[brentwood]

I put wire on, mostly done with it for a while. I like where the top is going, finally. I think I have options for the front now, like it from multiple angles

Thanks for the help,
B

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Well alrighty now!

It’s always a relief to get a project to the milestone stage. That’s when I look at a tree over and over as it grows and discover what I can improve in the future. The best, most lasting learning comes from doing.

Good luck on this little guy!

cheers
DSD sends

 

[penumbra]

Bringing those branches down really helps.
Love the cat.

 

[brentwood]

Well alrighty now!

It’s always a relief to get a project to the milestone stage. That’s when I look at a tree over and over as it grows and discover what I can improve in the future. The best, most lasting learning comes from doing.

Good luck on this little guy!

cheers
DSD sends

Thanks for all the help on him, feels like it's turning a corner now. If the only chipmunks would leave it alone for a couple seasons...

B

 

[Japonicus]

You'll be removing that 1st branch eventually and one of the next branches up (barbell).
This will allow you to ...

Bringing those branches down really helps.
Love the cat.

even more and tighten it up. More movement in the branches will also tighten it up some too.
However, I've never wired one this time of year. I feel what you've done is safe wiring for now.
I have had issues with my golden variety pitching a fit from wiring in the Fall.
IIRC it responds better to late Summer wiring when I'm adding movement.
Have you watched Bjorn's Hinoki Cypress @ Bonsai 16? That will give you a great feel of
how to thin it and pinch the frawns back keeping the profile, and prevent any additional legginess.
That pinching is a perpetual thing with hinokis.