Thuja literati first try

[Topdec]

Thought I would have a go at styling a literati, bought this thuja cheap at b&q for £6.50 so ideal for practicing with, any comments or suggestions going forward welcome. Sorry there's no before pic I get excited about starting a new tree and forget every time, I have included a pic of what I chopped off though.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Nice start on some good practice material.
That lower small trunk is going to be a problem. Creates a distracting crossing branch, and disrupts the Grace needed with the style.
Also! I would try to add more movement in the lower third of main trunk.

 

[Topdec]

Thanks Eckhoffw, I thought about cutting the small trunk off or jinning the whole thing as it was originally just pointing up!

 

[Topdec]

Been working on some movement in the trunk all winter/spring and took the plunge and removed the smaller trunk altogether

 

[pandacular]

I like this re-styling a lot better! I think literati tend to not look very good on young trees, and you're usually better off using the length to "compress" the tree vertically while getting a ton of movement. Looks great, and gives me thoughts for my styrax that is in the rare spiraling stick style.

 

[Topdec]

Thanks pandacular, I can't decide whether to keep the very top branch or remove it though! Think I'll keep it for now and maybe end up jinning it finally!

 

[pandacular]

Personally, I'd be leaving this to grow out and re-assess when you have some back budding, perhaps this time next year.

 

[Topdec]

Do you think I should be trying to get the foliage back closer to the trunk on the branches?