Wait awhile. Thuja is often very reluctant to back-bud, but if it was healthy and cut back hard (sounds like it was), it might. Was there any green at all left on the plant, and do I understand that the trunk is 12" in diameter?

Al

Yes.
It is about 12" x 12" diameter and in a 2' x 2' x 4" grow pot.
Before it was cut down there was plenty of green but none now.
A lot of wood (not roots) had to be cut from the bottom to make it fit.
The only big problem is I am 75 yrs old.:>(
The good news is if it does get any green I can give it to another bonsai enthusiast or my nephew.

One other thing Al, you are right again. Soil perfect does hold a lot of water.:>)

AL
IT ALSO TAPERS DOWN TO 6 INCHES OVER 36 INCHES

It sounds like an interesting potensai - especially with the taper. You'll just have to hope it has enough roots and that it has it in it to backbud.

Soil perfect? It sounds like we had a conversation I'm forgetting? ;o)

Al

Yes we did have a conversation and it ended when you said you had a bag in storage and you could see no reason to use it.

As for the arb, if the snow and cold keep coming I may not have to worry about it.