Hinoki Cypress styling advice

[Baker]

Hello all! I’ve only posted here once (asking for hinoki advice) but I spend many hours here reading. Since my first post I have fallen ever deeper into my bonsai addiction. Let’s just say both my porches are full of trees. Anyway, I have got a few Hinoki Cypresses and one sawara cypress, so I am doing pretty well as far as taking care of them. My sawara I am actually very proud of and I will share if anyone is interested. They are all nursery stock pre bonsai but I’m very proud with the progress and they are well on their way. This post is to share my big hinoki idea and where I am so far. I’ve attached a few photos and a really bad sketch of what I’m picturing. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I’m not done wiring, but decided to get some input from y’all. One thing I want to ask about is how you would bend the tall main trunk in a way that is reflected in my sketch. I look forward to hearing from you all!
Thanks!
Adam B

 

[Shogun610]

Do you have wire cutters? I am
In no way the best at wiring but I can assure you , that you need to unwire the tree. Watch some instructional videos of styling Hinoki cypress , along with wiring instructions, that’s too closely wired my friend

 

[Baker]

Hm, okay I’ll look into that again. By closely wired do you mean tight or too many wraps? I was worried about that being the case for the trunk, but thought the wiring on the branches was OK. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Baker]

Aside from the crummy wiring job, does anyone have any helpful ideas or suggestions on my idea for the tree and it’s development?

 

[QuantumSparky]

Hm, okay I’ll look into that again. By closely wired do you mean tight or too many wraps? I was worried about that being the case for the trunk, but thought the wiring on the branches was OK. Thank you for your advice.

He means that the wraps are too close together because in a lot of places you didn't keep the angle of the wire at 45 degrees to the trunk. I see a lot of wraps that are completely perpendicular (think wedding ring on a finger). If you need that many wraps to bend the trunk, you should use thicker wire instead.

Aside from that, I can't say that I'm in love with that particular twin trunk style. Part of me prefers the idea of getting rid of everything except the smaller right trunk. Definitely don't take my opinion very seriously though, I'm new to the hobby.

 

[Baker]

Yes! I see after looking at other people’s wiring that mine has too many wraps around. It also looks worse because of the amount of wire. Still working on my wiring, but part of the thing I need help with is how to bend that big trunk because wire just doesn’t seem to be doing it. I really like this twin trunk vision I have but appreciate your opinion. I really think that I can achieve something similar with this guy. (Once I clean up my wiring!)

 

[AnacortesSteve]

Aside from the crummy wiring job, does anyone have any helpful ideas or suggestions on my idea for the tree and it’s development?

Your drawing the tree looks too balanced, I think if you bend that branch to hang over the other and trim the one on the right a bit, it may look a little more wind swept and asymmetrical, the problem with Hinoki is they don't bud on old wood so too many wraps may kill buds. Take the wire off and try using thin guy wires to warp the trunk, pulling from 2 directions, I drill holes in the plastic pot rim to tie too.

 

[Baker]

Your drawing the tree looks too balanced, I think if you bend that branch to hang over the other and trim the one on the right a bit, it may look a little more wind swept and asymmetrical, the problem with Hinoki is they don't bud on old wood so too many wraps may kill buds. Take the wire off and try using thin guy wires to warp the trunk, pulling from 2 directions, I drill holes in the plastic pot rim to tie too.

Okay, I’ll cut off the wires on the main trunk I know they don’t back bud. I will probably leave the wires on the branches or have another go at it. Some places are okay but that main trunk is just covered with wire. I was kind of looking for a balanced look, is that not so good? I’ll give a shot at the guy wires. I have a basic idea where the branches will go to create a nice negative space balance.

 

[AnacortesSteve]

It depends on what style you like, just interesting to be growing together trying to get into the sunlight



THis one is dead now but I remember when it was alive in the 70s, both branches reaching out over the ocean to get out of the shade of the surrounding trees.

 

[AnacortesSteve]

This tree, the apex and main branch are doing the same thing and the tree killed off the rest of the branches or they were destroyed by the high winds off the sea.

 

[Baker]

It depends on what style you like, just interesting to be growing together trying to get into the sunlight

View attachment 388280View attachment 388281

THis one is dead now but I remember when it was alive in the 70s, both branches reaching out over the ocean to get out of the shade of the surrounding trees.

That’s beautiful. I absolutely appreciate and admire this style. More natural maybe. I will consider that in the future while looking at my trees and pondering their future. If not this one than another. I was kind of going for something else with this one but you’ve given me more to think about. Thank you for taking the time to share these photos and your thoughts. It is much appreciated.