Managing a twin-trunk Chamaecyparis Obtusa Nana

[GeoXd]

Hello everyone!

I’m new to bonsai but extremely interested. I have managed to buy this Chamaecyparis Obtusa Nana. It is a twin trunk and I could use every bit of advice to help me turn this into a beauty! I know it has the potential…

I would like to establish a dominant trunk. As the two trunks are of equal thickness, how would I manage to thicken one trunk over the other? I believe the right trunk would be a better dominant trunk. It is important to keep in mind that this species does not back bud on old wood. That means that I have to be extremely cautious when removing growth on the left trunk and ensure that any growth on the right trunk will not be detrimental to the lower growth. I believe I can manage the left trunk appear smaller by foreshortening if it ends up growing larger.

If you have any tips, ideas, or corrections to anything I’ve said, please feel free to tell me!

 

[sorce]

I don't think you'll be able to "flipflop" these thicknesses without ruining design options, due to the lack of backbudding, specifically the lower trunk buds you'd need to make the left one proportionally sound and well designed.

Welcome to Crazy!

Something so temperamental, just make the attempt at both being the ONE and ditch the one that ain't.

Sorce

 

[Hartinez]

Hello everyone!

I’m new to bonsai but extremely interested. I have managed to buy this Chamaecyparis Obtusa Nana. It is a twin trunk and I could use every bit of advice to help me turn this into a beauty! I know it has the potential…

I would like to establish a dominant trunk. As the two trunks are of equal thickness, how would I manage to thicken one trunk over the other? I believe the right trunk would be a better dominant trunk. It is important to keep in mind that this species does not back bud on old wood. That means that I have to be extremely cautious when removing growth on the left trunk and ensure that any growth on the right trunk will not be detrimental to the lower growth. I believe I can manage the left trunk appear smaller by foreshortening if it ends up growing larger.

If you have any tips, ideas, or corrections to anything I’ve said, please feel free to tell me!

You could certainly pinch and/or cut back one trunk harder than the other, but Hinoki being a notoriously slow grow tree, I can’t imagine you getting any significant difference in girth from one to the other.

You may actually though, be able to find a solution by changing your planting angle. Create dominance through height and upright posture rather than thickness. You can find examples of twin trunk bonsai with like thickness on the web. In most cases what delineates the two is one being more upright, dense or taller.

 

[Colorado]

I think you can make a nice tree out of this material!

However, I have to agree with sorce that I don’t really see much potential for a twin trunk here. As you have identified, the trunks are about equal thickness and it will take a long time to grow out the dominant trunk to be sufficiently more massive than the subordinate trunk.

Another more permanent issue is that the angle between the trunks is very obtuse.

Personally, I would ditch the left trunk and make a nice tree out of the right trunk. Just my 2 cents.

Have fun!

 

[GeoXd]

Thank you so much for your advice. I will still give it some thought as I really don’t want to remove the left trunk (or turn it into deadwood)

For reference, I was basing it off of the tree below. Can you see the similarities? (I see many). The left trunk seems about as long as the right trunk but the branches are bent down so the trunk appears shorter. Also notice the angle, which Hartinez has mentioned before

Would something like this (EVENTUALLY) be achievable? If not, why not?

 

[GeoXd]

You could certainly pinch and/or cut back one trunk harder than the other, but Hinoki being a notoriously slow grow tree, I can’t imagine you getting any significant difference in girth from one to the other.

You may actually though, be able to find a solution by changing your planting angle. Create dominance through height and upright posture rather than thickness. You can find examples of twin trunk bonsai with like thickness on the web. In most cases what delineates the two is one being more upright, dense or taller.

Yes, see the image I posted above for an example where I have seen someone do this. Thanks for your advice

 

[Hartinez]

Thank you so much for your advice. I will still give it some thought as I really don’t want to remove the left trunk (or turn it into deadwood)

For reference, I was basing it off of the tree below. Can you see the similarities? (I see many). The left trunk seems about as long as the right trunk but the branches are bent down so the trunk appears shorter. Also notice the angle, which Hartinez has mentioned before

Would something like this (EVENTUALLY) be achievable? If not, why not?

I hate to say it, but more than likely not. The pictures example is of a very old juniper with a lots of girth and amazing Shari to live vein contrast. Your Hinoki is young and would get close to the image through years and years of growing out, probably in the ground. In terms of the idea of the two trunks working though in relation to the pictures example, yeah both trunks on yours can work.

if it were mine I’d rotate the entire tree to the left about 15-20 degrees. Cut back to interior foliage and wire for optimum air and sun exposure. I would also start to guy wire the two trunks closer together to get them in a more harmonious position with each other. It May be hard to do but if you do it over a several year period it is possible.

truth be told, you may end up removing one of the trunks long term, but I would try making what you jave work before chopping anything major.

 

[GeoXd]

It’s 30 years old (60cm x 74cm x 48cm)

I hate to say it, but more than likely not. The pictures example is of a very old juniper with a lots of girth and amazing Shari to live vein contrast. Your Hinoki is young and would get close to the image through years and years of growing out, probably in the ground. In terms of the idea of the two trunks working though in relation to the pictures example, yeah both trunks on yours can work.

if it were mine I’d rotate the entire tree to the left about 15-20 degrees. Cut back to interior foliage and wire for optimum air and sun exposure. I would also start to guy wire the two trunks closer together to get them in a more harmonious position with each other. It May be hard to do but if you do it over a several year period it is possible.

truth be told, you may end up removing one of the trunks long term, but I would try making what you jave work before chopping anything major.

 

[Hartinez]

It’s 30 years old (60cm x 74cm x 48cm)

That’s awesome. It’s still only 3/4” thick and nowhere near the age and character of the tree you posted. You can still make something nice and fun to work with though, it just needs some work and commitment. Angle change, wire and detail wire.

 

[GeoXd]

That’s awesome. It’s still only 3/4” thick and nowhere near the age and character of the tree you posted. You can still make something nice and fun to work with though, it just needs some work and commitment. Angle change, wire and detail wire.

Thanks Hartinez, I appreciate your advice! I have a vision now and I will try my best to realize it. I will try and make something nice for the future, I don't mind waiting.

Would putting it in the ground thicken the trunks? Does pruning stimulate trunk growth? Does pinching stimulate trunk growth? Do you have any other techniques that stimulate trunk growth (that are applicable to this species)?

 

[Hartinez]

Thanks Hartinez, I appreciate your advice! I have a vision now and I will try my best to realize it. I will try and make something nice for the future, I don't mind waiting.

Would putting it in the ground thicken the trunks? Does pruning stimulate trunk growth? Does pinching stimulate trunk growth? Do you have any other techniques that stimulate trunk growth (that are applicable to this species)?

Ground growing would def help, but considering the tree is already 30 yrs in, you’ll probably find it’s going to take some time to get big and will only get so big in your lifetime. Have a 10-15 year plan for this tree. The trick with ground growing though is making sure to maintain foliage in closer to the trunk while still give others the chance to run long. If you decide to ground grow, periodic cut backs to interior foliage will be beneficial. Leave some to grow long though to add thickness. Pinching is more of a refinement technique.

 

[GeoXd]

Ground growing would def help, but considering the tree is already 30 yrs in, you’ll probably find it’s going to take some time to get big and will only get so big in your lifetime. Have a 10-15 year plan for this tree. The trick with ground growing though is making sure to maintain foliage in closer to the trunk while still give others the chance to run long. If you decide to ground grow, periodic cut backs to interior foliage will be beneficial. Leave some to grow long though to add thickness. Pinching is more of a refinement technique.

I did not receive the plant yet so I am unsure what the root situation is. Perhaps the tree has outgrown the pot a while ago, restricting growth. I think through proper fertilization and ground growing, thicker trunks will come sooner than later. I am not in a hurry at all; I am 21 years old so plenty of time to wait

May I ask, why is cutting back to interior foliage beneficial?

 

[Hartinez]

It is important to keep in mind that this species does not back bud on old wood.

Here’s the answer why in your opening paragraph! If you don’t keep the foliage in check and close to the trunk, it will continue to run leaving you with Pom poms at the end of long naked branches that WILL NOT back bud.

this article has helped me out considerably.

Taming the "Hinoki" Cypress

Chamecyparis Obtusa "Nana Gracilis" The Hinoki cyprees has long been a favourite of mine for bonsai culture. C. Obtusa is the easiest false ...

bonsaiwonders-art.blogspot.com

And here is mine and how I’ve handled it.

B&B Hinoki

Starting the progress on this Hinoki. Bought this tree from Home Depot and it may not have been the most wise purchase. It was B&B and under the burlap it was hiding the graft. I looked through all of the ones available and couldnt see a graft on any of them, so I thought these didn’t have...

www.bonsainut.com

 

[jradics]

Hello everyone!

I’m new to bonsai but extremely interested. I have managed to buy this Chamaecyparis Obtusa Nana. It is a twin trunk and I could use every bit of advice to help me turn this into a beauty! I know it has the potential…

I would like to establish a dominant trunk. As the two trunks are of equal thickness, how would I manage to thicken one trunk over the other? I believe the right trunk would be a better dominant trunk. It is important to keep in mind that this species does not back bud on old wood. That means that I have to be extremely cautious when removing growth on the left trunk and ensure that any growth on the right trunk will not be detrimental to the lower growth. I believe I can manage the left trunk appear smaller by foreshortening if it ends up growing larger.

If you have any tips, ideas, or corrections to anything I’ve said, please feel free to tell me!

As many have said, Hinoki hardly ever back bud, (flush new growth behind the actively growing tips.) Enjoy what you have, I keep several too, but keep expectations on this species in check.