Red/brown-ish colored foliage on hinoki cypress

[simoncools]

I picked up this rather large hinoki cypress last weekend from a local bonsai nursery and am planning to take it to a workshop to help me get started working on this tree.
When watering today, I noticed some of the foliage is showing a brown, slightly red tint. Could it be sunburn? I highly doubt it is due to underwatering since this tree comes from a very reputable nursery.
Maybe this discoloration is normal during this time of year? It's my first time working with this species.
The tree looks to be in excellent health otherwise.

All ideas are welcome. Thanks

 

[Thuj Life]

Your tree is fantastic! Has the tree improved since your original post? How often do you prune/work on the foliage?

I recently picked up a neglected hinoki cypress from a local nursery (with actually a very similar trunk line as yours) with almost identical discoloration of foliage. It was exposed to direct wind and sunlight all day.

I brought it home, did a very modest repot + slow release fertilizer pellets, moved it into the shade (receives filtered late morning sun only), gave it a good soak, and I saw noticeable improvement in 2-3 days. I also mist it any chance I get.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

I keep my hinoki in part shade where it only gets morning sun. I know the online culture notes often say full sun but that’s a recipe for sunburn IMHO.

 

[Matt3839]

Try giving it a kelp foliar feed as well. That may green it up.

My Hinokis don’t get sun after about 3PM so I’ve not experienced sunburn, but a few times they’ve gotten too dry and the ends have gotten crispy.

If you’re in Belgium you probably have a pretty nice climate for them.