Hinoki wiring and styling

BrianBay9

As some of you may know, I've been collecting trunks for a while, but am just getting into details of development with my own trees - ramification and wiring. So, here's my attempt for this weekend. First pic is what I started with, and then the progression to where I've stopped for the moment. The tree looks better in person, but still, I'm not sure I've improved this tree. I'm going to continue with wiring of the smallest branches, but any comments, criticism and (especially) suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
Brian

Attached Images

	hinoki-june-05.jpg (68.1 KB, 108 views)
	Hinoki-July-05-1.jpg (65.2 KB, 78 views)
	Hinoki-July-05-2.jpg (57.6 KB, 68 views)
	Hinoki-July-05-3.jpg (61.3 KB, 111 views)

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Arnie

Looking good Brian.

How do you plan on working the finer foilage? Looks like you've got an awful lot of it to wire.

I haven't worked on Hinoki before, but I'm asuming you tackle these as any other Juniper and strip a lot of the finer material out - just leaving florets of foliage on the tips before wiring.

I photographed a real beauty for a friend a few weeks back....I'll post you a picture.

Best Regards
Arnie

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mike_p

Hi Brian
I don't have a hinoki in my collection, but have had in the past, and have worked on a few.
When you see a good one in an exhibit, it can be a very graceful and delicate tree. Too bad we don't see more. I should find a good nursery stock speciman and get to work.
I'll be at Lone Pine tomorrow doing a demo for REBS. Maybe Ian Price has one for sale. I know he has an outstanding hinoki bonsai that is always a pleasure to see in an exhibit.
The hinoki growth habit can be a problem as it seems to be all twists and whorls. When I trim, I try to trim off what isn't a flat plane. I cut a small branch off one thats growing in my yard to try and illustrate what I mean. It wasn't very successful, and maybe posting the image will just muddy the waters.
But, here goes anyway.

Mike

Attached Images

99_hinoki.jpg (53.6 KB, 77 views)

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BrianBay9

Arnie, looking forward to the pics.

Mike, thanks for the demo. I think I need to remove about 75% of the foliage in those pads before I finish the wiring. And,....I may not have the right front....

More pics to follow.

Thanks guys
Brian

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RedPine

You may want to get some more feedback on this Arnie,I have never had much luck with getting a larger one to backbud.The first thing I did when getting a nice fat one was thin out the inner foliage to work with the trunk and branch lines.I was left with a very costly and ugly screw up tree as it kept growing and growing but never from any of the older areas.

Maybe someone can clear the waters in this regard for us as they are a beautiful tree.

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Vance Wood

Hinokis do not back bud very well if at all. In fact I have never seen mine back bud. Because of this it is important that you keep the foliage on the ends thined out so that there is opportunity for back budding. Do not let it extend beyond where you want it to be because it is difficult to draw it back in. Keep the ends well pinched and you have a better chance of getting the only back budding you are likely to see, that on two to three year old wood.

You are on your way with this tree but they take time. I always try to lay out the fans horizontally, they look better that way as opposed to attempting to grow these cloud like foliage masses you see with Pines. Look at the way a Blue spruce grows, and this is the way you should arrange the foliage on an Hinoki.

jeremy_norbury

This Hinoki won the honours of best "evergreen" at my local club's recent yearly show. The owner has been training it for 35 years!

Jerry

Attached Images

IMG_0581.jpg (65.2 KB, 66 views)

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BrianBay9

OK, here are the last two pics, after thinning foliage and fine wiring. First is the current front, and the second is an alternate front.

I'm still not sure that this tree looks better now than when I started, although it looks better in person than in the pic. Oh well, have to start on something...poor hinoki didn't know it was a guinea pig.

Brian

Attached Images

	hinoki-July-05-4.jpg (65.6 KB, 57 views)
	hinoki-July-05-5.jpg (65.9 KB, 46 views)

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mike_p

Good job, Brian. FWIW. I like the first front.

Mike

__________________
Bonsai is not a hobby.
Bonsai is a way of life
======================================
There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way
Gautama Buddha
======================================
Bonsai is a mental disease and the internet is the asylum