Inherited Tree - Hinoki Cypress

[stubmle]

While working with Dan Robinson he had us practice cutting back a Hinoki during November in a special way, breaking up the fronds into ‘very small leaflets’. He did this for years, cutting almost all the way back, then continued cutting back over the years. Eventually the tree had incredibly ramified foliage and back budded all the way up the branches. First we’d ever seen this technique applied to Hinoki.

Could you detail the process a bit further? I've always heard that hinoki will not back-bud reliably. I'd love to give this a try in the Fall.
Do you just cut back the green foliage to a small remnant, or is there more to it?

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Tree is improving very nicely, well done.
That method works very well for Cedar to reduce foliage size and promote back budding. Combined with wiring the branches downward.
Also when you cut back to encourage backbudding, it might be an idea to keep some material for hardwood cuttings in preparation for possible approach grafting! The growth habit does not lend itself to long extensions that can be wired back so easily as juniper. It is a step in the right will be using in developing my Hinoki Project. Easier to position approach grafts in smaller pots. Just some added thoughts.

Thank you Frank. Since we are sticking 100’s of azaleas, perhaps a couple Hinokis would fit in the trays nicely!

Could you detail the process a bit further? I've always heard that hinoki will not back-bud reliably. I'd love to give this a try in the Fall.
Do you just cut back the green foliage to a small remnant, or is there more to it?

Sure! Basically what Dan showed us is how cut back each leaflet to two little stubs in every piece of foliage all around the tree in late Fall. Next time I get a chance to visit I’ll try to get him to explain this again and see if some images will show this technique better.

Cheers
DSD sends