I know how to tell the growth rate of Piceas and Pinus, but how do you identify how much a Chamaecyparis obtusa or pisifera type tree grew in the previous year? The leaf/needle structure is totally different from spruces and pines, so how can I tell?

Secondary question. How do these types of trees grow? There are no clearly visible buds. Do they sprout from all along the stem, anywhere like deciduous shrubs?

Deer or something else chewed on my Chamaecyparis pisifera, so I would like to know more about its growth habits.