Ramify branching on Hinoki (Chamaecyparis Obtusa "Gracilis")

[Matt3839]

I’m getting ready to do a light prune on my Hinoki; Chamaecyparis Obtusa "Gracilis". It’s got very long slender branches with minimal secondary branching and I was wondering if there is a good way to prune to promote secondary branching? It’s about 40 inches high and these branches are maybe 1/2 way up the trunk.

I put some white paper under some photos of the branches coming off the main trunk just so it’s a little clearer. On a plus note I have a lot of interior growth on the tree. It’s a an “slender Hinoki” variety, apparently they have less whorls than an nana. Seems similar to a Wells Special from what I’ve seen?

Any help is always appreciated.

 

[defra]

I’m getting ready to do a light prune on my Hinoki; Chamaecyparis Obtusa "Gracilis". It’s got very long slender branches with minimal secondary branching and I was wondering if there is a good way to prune to promote secondary branching? It’s about 40 inches high and these branches are maybe 1/2 way up the trunk.

I put some white paper under some photos of the branches coming off the main trunk just so it’s a little clearer. On a plus note I have a lot of interior growth on the tree. It’s a an “slender Hinoki” variety, apparently they have less whorls than an nana. Seems similar to a Wells Special from what I’ve seen?

Any help is always appreciated.

The green shoots will turn woody eventualy.
This species does jot backbud on old wood so you Will have to work what is present.
I see your picture you wired the branch but it is still straight at the end, if you give it left right movement so you get a green shoot on the outside of each bend the branch wil get shorter in length and so more compact and later each green shoot will be secondairy branch and so on but stay on top of it once the branch is bare it will stay like that unless you graft foliage on.
I added a picture to show what im talking about.



As final here are two links with good info on this species for refining them

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.sk

Taming the "Hinoki" Cypress 201 (Addendum)

In part one we discussed how to tame the infamous Hinoki Cypress. Albeit the article discussed the maintenance aspect of Hinokis as bonsai, ...

bonsaiwonders-art.blogspot.sk

 

[Matt3839]

Thanks @defra. At the time I think I didn’t quite understand but yes I’ve wired and bent the branches to compress the length quite a bit. Will post a photo of the tree soon all wired and set