Cedrus Deodara

[Olga]

Funnily enough after having a quick look on Google I just realised I already have one of these which I bought as a Himalayan Cedar That one has the same problem with leggy branches, although it had enough lower branches to train down and trim back a bit so I've managed to get it into a nice shape and am just letting it grow for now.
This one is far too tall, I think, for suitable bonsai material. An impulse buy which was looking a bit sorry for itself hidden behind some black pines so I bought it and then wondered what the heck to do with it. It does have a nice trunk but all those weird leggy branches at the top.
I'm considering just putting it in a large pot and trying to thicken the top foliage and let it weep. Any tips on this one? Or some pruning advice to get the top a bit thicker?

[shibui]

Olga,
Cedars are slow to develop. The only way I know to get the branches more dense is to prune back long bits and pinch all shoots to promote budding. You can cut and pinch shoots back to leave just a few needles and buds should grow most times on healthy trees. It will take quite a few years of constant effort.
Before you try this I think you need to get the tree healthy. Feed it lots and probably repot to encourage growth then cut back later.

[Olga]

Ah yes I was deciding whether or not to repot it or pop it in the ground, the other small one with the bluish foliage is in a grow patch at the back of the garden the moment. Thanks Shibui, do you have any advice on fertilizer? I'm still investigating different ones.

[shibui]

Any fert is better than no fert. Use anything you have available but follow the directions on the packet for safety.