It seems to be working for you. Do you care how wide it could get, or will you also deal with that by pruning? I’ve never done something like this with Chamaecyparis, but if you’re happy with the results to this point, why stop? It will let you know if it’s not working. Personally, I’m reluctant to commit to a regular pruning regimen for any plant, but I’m also not into bonsai…yet.

BTW, it looks like it’s growing in at least moderate shade. Is the trend for this plant to be in more shade?

chams are conifers.. which are trees.. they never stop growing...

commonly called a shrub .. but of course.. it doesnt flower ...

size estimated int eh conifer world are at 10 years.. and at 20 you may presume it will be twice as large ..

all are full sun.. though some tolerate shade... the more shade.. the slower they grow.. annually.. competition ofr water may also be an issue under larger competitors...

youve seen topiary.. there is no limit to pruning.. presuming you dont leave open gaping wounds that never encapsulate.. or heal ...

my recollection is you are z5... there are many varieties ... chams are about 50/50 ... in said zone.. some thrive.. other die ... apparently you got the right one for your location ....

ken

Ken, please get off that stupid "conifers are trees" soapbox!! It is inaccurate and misleading for those that may not be familiar with plants. Many are defined as trees but many are NOT! Conifers do come in groundcover and shrub forms as well and even the tree forms have a genetic size programmed into their DNA that will limit their ultimate height. They also do not grow at a consistent same rate throughout their lifespan.

btw, there is nothing in the definition of a shrub that requires it to flower.

What is the point of hhis link?