AusBonsai

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

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.

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

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

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