Pushing the boundaries with a hinoki cypress

[Westcoastwild]

I bought this tree from a nursery about 3 months ago and while most say that Hinoki tend to be a difficult species to work with, I really wanted to see what I could get away with during a single season. It was only $50 so if it doesn't servive it will certainly not hurt my wallet.

Its currently in the development stage and while I have topped the tree, I plan on using one of the top branches as a new leader because it had a very weird branch structure on top. So far I have done structural pruning, a repot and wiring and it is producing new growth quite rapidly. It has actually seemed to have responded quite well to all of the work that was done. Its not shown in the picture but I transferred it into a larger pot because it was severely root bound and I would like the trunk to thicken up a bit more and for it to grow taller. Any thoughts?

 

[CaptColin]

Status of the tree?

 

[BobbyLane]

I like Cypress, no luck with them tho. this one was cheap.. after I trimmed it back and put some wire on, the foliage started browning. this has happened to a few conifers ive bought from nurseries, it seems to me once I removed the outer foliage, whats underneath isnt quite used to the light exposure.
so I think its best to leave them for a season to grow in your environment until they get strong and can take a cut back.
so I dont really bother with conifers anymore, I dont have the patience, I like to work my trees out the box. I have had some success with nursery Taxus tho

 

[Crazy Diamond]

I like Cypress, no luck with them tho. this one was cheap.. after I trimmed it back and put some wire on, the foliage started browning. this has happened to a few conifers ive bought from nurseries, it seems to me once I removed the outer foliage, whats underneath isnt quite used to the light exposure.
so I think its best to leave them for a season to grow in your environment until they get strong and can take a cut back.
so I dont really bother with conifers anymore, I dont have the patience, I like to work my trees out the box. I have had some success with nursery Taxus tho

The center trunk in my opinion dont contribute to the tree at all, no taper or nice movement if it were mine I would jin and short it

 

[BobbyLane]

The center trunk in my opinion dont contribute to the tree at all, no taper or nice movement if it were mine I would jin and short it

this tree is long gone. whats been your experience working with the species?