chamaecyparis obtusa

[craigw60]

I have a chamaecyparis obtusa in the garden which is being swamped by a disectum maple and have been thinking about digging it up for bonsai treatment. I think it is obtusa kosterii. I was wondering if anyone knows whats the best season for digging these trees and if they can take a bit of rough treatment. After seeing the beautiful hinoki bonsai the japanese grow I have always wanted one.
Craig

[anttal63]

As long as you have a good root ball i would think even now in autumn up your way, you could, other wise all through Spring.

[Jarrod]

Having spotted what I think is the tree your talking about on my last visit I suggest digging it when the time is best. It's a ripper. Sorry I can't tell you when is best

[Mojo Moyogi]

Craig, I agree with Ant, that now should be OK, but predicting how much of a growing season we have left is a little tricky. Perhaps, if the tree is not in immediate jeopardy, you could wait until the tree is breaking dormancy in spring. You would have a larger window of growing season for the tree to recover in before winter. I am just thinking on the side of caution here (did I really just write that?) as Hinokis are one of the least vigorous of the Cypress family.

I have only ever owned one Hinoki, I think it was C. obtusa 'Nana Gracillis', it was a lovely small tree that grew very slowly, I gave it to a friend's mother around the time of the Sydney Olympics.

Cheers
Mojo Moyogi

P.S. Mrs Mojo Moyogi is now officailly in love with your garden and wants one like it

[craigw60]

Thanks guys the plant as been growing in the garden for est. 25years so I guess a few more months will be ok. I will wait for spring. Feels like we might get a cool autumn here. I have cut it back fairly hard and will do a little preliminary root work now.
Craig