Having a hard time with Hinoki Cypress styling

[Likebull1]

This is my first Hinoki Cypress and I'm aware of the fact they don't back bud on old wood. This is why I'm having a hard time deciding which lower branch to remove. I see benefits with each but I'd like to hear some second opinions.
Clearly both can't stay...
Thanks!

Also my first post here so excuse any mistake I may have made ha!

 

[RJG2]

 

[Likebull1]

View attachment 442903

Oof that's a really good idea but I think I'll have a really hard time committing to that major of a transformation right now

 

[RJG2]

Oof that's a really good idea but I think I'll have a really hard time committing to that major of a transformation right now

Just the first thing that jumped out at me considering the back-bud issue. Would also introduce some taper and movement.

 

[Likebull1]

Just the first thing that jumped out at me considering the back-bud issue. Would also introduce some taper and movement.

I definitely see where you're going with this. I guess I was going for more of upright style.
Either way I have time to think on it since I just repotted.
I'll probably do any major chop next season. Just trying to see where it's headed

 

[sorce]

I'm with that hard chop down.

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[Likebull1]

I'm with that hard chop down.

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

Damn...I was secretly hoping someone would disagree haha.
Maybe it'll hurt me less next year.

 

[sorce]

I reckon you can skin it all the way to the top and use that foliage, but them other branches are quite far apart to be useful, far foliage too.

It won't hurt.

It'll feel good!

Sorce

 

[Likebull1]

I reckon you can skin it all the way to the top and use that foliage, but them other branches are quite far apart to be useful, far foliage too.

It won't hurt.

It'll feel good!

Sorce

Do they respond well to air layering? I'd hate to waste all that tree.

 

[sorce]

Do they respond well to air layering? I'd hate to waste all that tree.

Worth a try. Just be prepared to leave it on over winter.

Radialayer™ a season saver.

Nutters, You may have noticed I almost always jump to recommending airlayers. I don't think I will ever lose my fascination with the process. In attempts to perfect it, I have worked out some tweaks so it is time to share my method. I don't understand haphazardly throwing long...

www.bonsainut.com

Sorce

 

[Paradox]

The fact is you have a tree with a long trunk with very few branches between the base and the apex.
Not really much you can do about that.
I also agree with the chop and lean the tree a bit more to the right

 

[Likebull1]

The fact is you have a tree with a long trunk with very few branches between the base and the apex.
Not really much you can do about that.
I also agree with the chop

3 pro chops for the win! Kinda wish I would've waited to repot now. Guess I'll have to wait til next year to chop

 

[Paradox]

3 pro chops for the win! Kinda wish I would've waited to repot now. Guess I'll have to wait til next year to chop

Also lean the tree more to the right when you get around to repotting it again

 

[Ply]

View attachment 442903

Nice. I have no idea whether Hinoki can or can not take such a hard chop, but if it can, this definitely would get my vote.

 

[Paradox]

Nice. I have no idea whether Hinoki can or can not take such a hard chop, but if it can, this definitely would get my vote.

There is a lot of foliage on those lower branches so Id say it has a very good chance of doing fine with chopping above that.
So Id leave those branches alone until the tree recovers. Chopping below those = death sentence

 

[Likebull1]

Also lean the tree more to the right when you get around to repotting it again

Legitimately ask why?
Also would I take the higher of the two branches and make it the new apex?

 

[Paradox]

Legitimately ask why?
Also would I take the higher of the two branches and make it the new apex?

it will make getting the angle of one of those branches better aligned to be the apex and yes you would take one of those and make it the new apex

 

[Likebull1]

it will make getting the angle of one of those branches better aligned to be the apex and yes you would take one of those and make it the new apex

Awesome thanks for the help. It's starting to make more sense to me

 

[Underdog]

I've a similar tree with similar issues. I couldn't chop off90% of the tree so I've wired the lanky branches completely around on themselves with plans to approach graft closer to the trunk. I've never grafted before but getting up the nerve to try it very soon.

Underdogs Hinoki Challenger

Three years into this hobby and this is my nemesis tree. I feel it's turning the corner but I'm not driving... Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'

www.bonsainut.com

 

[Likebull1]

I've a similar tree with similar issues. I couldn't chop off90% of the tree so I've wired the lanky branches completely around on themselves with plans to approach graft closer to the trunk. I've never grafted before but getting up the nerve to try it very soon.

Do you happens to know if Hinoki respond well to grafting?