What best to do with Hinoki inverse taper?

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

Hey all, hope your are doing fine or feeling happy at least!
I am greatfull to have survived a stroke in my brain less then two years ago at the agenda of 36. Finally being able to start picking up my job as a Marine Pilot again in the port of Rotterdam.

I have two Hinoki’s which I bought as shrubs 4 years ago.
I styled, restyled and pruned them over those years.

I like them although they both have this inverse taper at the graft which catches the eye every time.

Can I carve the thickining at the graft side to create a more natural trunk? It will leave a scar, but will it be oké to do this on the port and starboard side?
Changing the front will make a difference as well but I made the mistake to not consider this when choosing the front at first .

Thanks for any reply

Grz Jasper

 

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

This is the other one with the same inverse taper.

 

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

And a small impression a Maritime Pilot
For the ones with some nautical interest

 

[WavyGaby]

Neat job and motivational recovery story!

Most people will probably recommend air layering above the graft. If the it bugs you enough and you feel confident then give the first one a try. You could also wait to see if it smooths out as it grows or hide it. The first point assumes the growth rate of the root stock and scion are not vastly different like Japanese White Pines on JBP root stock. You can definitely change fronts at any point to hide it like in the fourth photo or use the low left branch in the second photo to hide it. Find the best view of the base and the movement of the trunk is weighted second to help your new front.

I dont think carving is a good idea as the flaking bark is a feature of hinoki and deadwood /shari is not as common.

I like the second tree, pic 1 the best. It has a good base and can improve with more ramification and directionality. I would remove the skinny lower branch in the crotch and then wire the main trunk to add movement to the right, over top of the lower right branch.

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Looks like an interesting job, glad you are recovering from the unfortunate health issues.

@Hartinez posted a hinoki a while back that he carved to disguise a graft, not the same situation as yours but maybe food for thought?

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/b-b-hinoki.50817/

 

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

Neat job and motivational recovery story!

Most people will probably recommend air layering above the graft. If the it bugs you enough and you feel confident then give the first one a try. You could also wait to see if it smooths out as it grows or hide it. The first point assumes the growth rate of the root stock and scion are not vastly different like Japanese White Pines on JBP root stock. You can definitely change fronts at any point to hide it like in the fourth photo or use the low left branch in the second photo to hide it. Find the best view of the base and the movement of the trunk is weighted second to help your new front.

I dont think carving is a good idea as the flaking bark is a feature of hinoki and deadwood /shari is not as common.

I like the second tree, pic 1 the best. It has a good base and can improve with more ramification and directionality. I would remove the skinny lower branch in the crotch and then wire the main trunk to add movement to the right, over top of the lower right branch.

Thanks for the feedback! I like the styling idea you mentioned .

 

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

Looks like an interesting job, glad you are recovering from the unfortunate health issues.

@Hartinez posted a hinoki a while back that he carved to disguise a graft, not the same situation as yours but maybe food for thought?

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/b-b-hinoki.50817/

Thanks for sharing the thread, I will look in to that