Arborvitae styling help

[Sagebrush]

Have had this guy since late spring. It had a unique natural bend in the trunk although higher up than I like. Did some minor structural work to get the upright leader moving to the side. Question is looking at the photos, what now?

 

[pandacular]

Can you bend the lower straight trunk? It looks to me like it should be able to move with some heavy wire, and that would be my top priority before it won’t bend.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Thuja is the genus name for "Arborvitae" . Thuja is closely related to Chamaecyparis more commonly known as Hinoki falsecypress. Generally, I suggest reading everything you can bonsai related about Thuja, and Hinoki as cultivation techniques and training and styling techniques are nearly identical.

Key to remember, once a Thuja branch develops brown bark (no longer green) it will NEVER back bud in that region. Well never might be too strong, but you can not depend on Thuja to back bud anywhere brown bark has formed. This means, as much as possible keep some green everywhere on the tree you might possibly need a branch in the future. You can trim green branches short, but they must have green or that's it, no more green at that location. This is the single most important styling take away tip I can give you. Don't cut off branches completely, keep a little green until you are absolutely certain you won't be needing a branch at that location in the future.

Your tree is young, the main trunk is really skinny. I would keep as many branches as possible to try and bulk up the trunk diameter for a couple years. During that time read about Thuja and Hinoki, aka Chamaecyparis.

 

[Sagebrush]

Can you bend the lower straight trunk? It looks to me like it should be able to move with some heavy wire, and that would be my top priority before it won’t bend.

I am going to think about that. Honestly I'm a bit scared of trying to bend it in that low area beneath the natural bend. I may try as you suggest with heavy wire. May need to split the trunk?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Rather than splitting the trunk, when you repot, angle the trunk, so it is not vertical. A 30 degree slant or a 60 degree slant tend to look good. 45 degrees slant is usually avoided.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Your second picture shows off the subtle movement in the trunk. I would exploit that using that viewing angle, but still try to get a bend in there, so it’s not so straight from other angles.
If it were mine, I’d bend it hard in the low section, then put it in the ground if possible.

How do arborvitae do in Texas BTW?

 

[Sagebrush]

Your second picture shows off the subtle movement in the trunk. I would exploit that using that viewing angle, but still try to get a bend in there, so it’s not so straight from other angles.
If it were mine, I’d bend it hard in the low section, then put it in the ground if possible.

How do arborvitae do in Texas BTW?

Quite a few in yards around here. At least when they get established appear hardy.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Thuja is hardy thru zone 4 .