Better known of course as Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Columnaris Glauca'.
(Silly name I thought pseudo latin had been banned for cultivars).

I've had this in the ground for 5 years, and it hasn't had an easy time.
Shortly after planting, the central leader was bitten off by a deer. I
then protected it, but of course it hasn't gained much height; a slow
grower anyway I suppose. Anyway it has a new leader and has filled out,
making a squat flame shape about 1.5 m tall. However it had grown into
the protective fence, so I took it off last summer. It turns out the
fence may have been supporting the branches, because a couple weeks ago
when we had snow, many branches bowed down almost to the ground. The
leader is OK, but it looks pretty shabby.

Any idea what the best approach for shaping is? Would it be a good idea
to tie the branches back in? I do this for a pretty big juniper that
loses its shape after heavy snow. Or maybe just let it work things out on
its own for now?

Thanks

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Gardening in Lower Normandy