How to pinch Arizona or Monterey Cypress for ramification?

[Esolin]

Hi all. I'm experimenting with a native Tecate Cypress, which probably isn't a great species for bonsai, but I have one so I'm trying to learn how best to work it. Probably the nearest species to it are Monterey, Arizona, and maybe Italian cypress. Like other cypress species, it does not seem to backbud, and therefore is slowly getting leggy. I know these other cypress species are pinched to encourage ramification and keep them from getting too leggy, but I haven't seen a lot of info out there on exactly how/when to pinch. Can anyone offer advice or point me to good resources for dealing with these sorts of cypress?

It's started to push for the Spring, and I feel like I should be working it now, because last year it shed its oldest interior growth as soon as it hardened off. Is this typical of cypress growth? It's a young tree.

Example of foliage:

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I don't pinch cypress. The key to getting it to tighten up is (1) get it as strong and healthy as possible (2) prune back branches that extend beyond your profile and (3) structurally prune to open up foliage pads. Wire as necessary to lay out the foliage so it gets maximum sun and air.

 

[Esolin]

Thanks. That doesn't sound much different that how I've been told to handle junipers. Problem is, if I really let it run to get strong, I foresee ending up with pompoms 12 inches out. If I prune it to desired profile now, I'll be removing 2/3 of the foliage off most branches, keeping it weak and lanky. It's a bit of a Catch 22.

But it is an experiment. I guess I'll muddle on and try some different things.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Problem is, if I really let it run to get strong, I foresee ending up with pompoms 12 inches out. If I prune it to desired profile now, I'll be removing 2/3 of the foliage off most branches, keeping it weak and lanky. It's a bit of a Catch 22.

Don't do one thing... do both.

Maintain tight foliage in the majority of the area that will be your "final" tree, while letting a single sacrifice branch extend well beyond the outline of the final tree. This sacrifice growth you WANT to be a pom-pom - strip any growth along the length of the extending branch, and let the branch get longer and longer with foliage only on the end so that it doesn't shade out the rest of the tree. Make sure your "final" foliage gets plenty of sun and air so that it stays strong and tight. It will look ridiculous - while you are letting the sacrifice growth run - but do not panic and remove the sacrifice too early. I've seen sacrifice branches that are 4' long on a tree that when finished will be less than 12" tall.

 

[Esolin]

Don't do one thing... do both.

Hmm! I hadn't really considered using sacrifice branches in that 'localized' of a manner before. Okay, I'll do that, thanks!