weeping trees

catfish chapstick · Mar 26, 2014

Seemingly even more rare in bonsai than windswept, we definitely don't see many trees styled to weep. This dramatic form is almost universally appealing when it comes to real trees. Why so rarely attempted in bonsai? Is it difficult to pull off? Is it seen as easy or unappealing for some reason?

I am considering styling one of my trees to weep. Anybody have a weeping tree they are currently working on? Anyone have examples of successful attempts at a weeping bonsai? Any problems I will face? Any clue as to why more of us haven't explored this ???

Thanks in advance folks.

Poink88 · Mar 26, 2014

I believe it is a difficult style to attain and high maintenance.

From Walters Pall's blog.
http://walter-pall-bonsai.blogspot.com/2012/01/back-from-noelanders-trophy.html

catfish chapstick · Mar 26, 2014

Poink88 said:
I believe it is a difficult style to attain and high maintenance.

From Walters Pall's blog.
http://walter-pall-bonsai.blogspot.com/2012/01/back-from-noelanders-trophy.html

yes, this is the best one I've seen

Poink88 · Mar 26, 2014

Here is a Montezuma cypress I own that just naturally assumed the weeping style (I did nothing to make it do this). I will be pursuing it now.

fourteener · Mar 26, 2014

I'm working on a Weeping Tamarack. Not sure that there is anything too difficult about it. I've thought about a weeping cherry...more room to have more blossoms!!

The swaying in the wind is the great form and movement you get and adds to the garden.

I imagine weeping willows could be a tad frustrating with their tendency to die back, but I'm sure it's made up for with how fast it grows.

catfish chapstick · Mar 26, 2014

Poink88 said:
Here is a Montezuma cypress I own that just naturally assumed the weeping style (I did nothing to make it do this). I will be pursuing it now.

only thing is when trees weep in nature they almost always have upward reaching primary branches and branches dont weep right off the trunk

fourteener · Mar 26, 2014

http://http://migarden.msu.edu/uploads/files/weeping_wonders.pdf

I think there are two types of weepers. One type where the trunk grows erect and branches weep and one where everything weep(you'd have to stand it up until it could do that by itself and then let it weep. Some inspiring conifers in the link above...

Dav4 · Mar 26, 2014

I think one of the reasons you don't often see a weeping bonsai is because, as a rule, trees in nature grow up and out seeking sun, though the shape of the tree may be influenced by the elements, or the foliage at the end of the branches may weep. Trees in the landscape that weep are usually selected cultivars of non weeping tree species. As a general rule, weeping trees wouldn't be able to compete with non weeping trees of the same species, so you just don't find them in nature. Still, some of these weeping cultivars have been around for a long time now, and I think that's where the inspiration for the few weeping bonsai examples come from.

GrimLore · Mar 26, 2014

Poink88 said:
Here is a Montezuma cypress I own that just naturally assumed the weeping style (I did nothing to make it do this).

You are obviously killing it, I will send shipping costs and save it!

Grimmy

catfish chapstick · Mar 26, 2014

fourteener said:
I think there are two types of weepers. One type where the trunk grows erect and branches weep and one where everything weep(you'd have to stand it up until it could do that by itself and then let it weep. Some inspiring conifers in the link above...

that link is not working for me for some reason. Maybe its my phone.

I know there must be different degrees of weepage but obviously the trunk grows upward right? I wonder if anyone has ever attempted a weeping cascade.

Poink88 · Mar 26, 2014

I think there is a definition gap on what she meant weeping is.

I agree with both Dav4 and fourteener.

berobinson82 · Mar 26, 2014

I snapped this picture at the arboretum last year. IIRC it was from the NVBS member trees inside.

Nifty Forsythia, no?

catfish chapstick · Mar 26, 2014

Poink88 said:
I think there is a definition gap on what she meant weeping is.

I agree with both Dav4 and fourteener.

im asking, not defining.

catfish chapstick · Mar 26, 2014

berobinson82 said:
I snapped this picture at the arboretum last year. IIRC it was from the NVBS member trees inside.

Nifty Forsythia, no?

this is absolutely lovely. Great example.

Poink88 · Mar 26, 2014

catfish chapstick said:
im asking, not defining.

Based on what you described it is the outside branches that droop/weep (in nature) as the tree ages. I do not call that weeping style. I do love that effect and plan on going after it when I have "finished" trees (they could be formal upright, informal upright, slant, etc.).

catfish chapstick · Mar 26, 2014

Poink88 said:
Based on what you described it is the outside branches that droop/weep (in nature) as the tree ages. I do not call that weeping style. I do love that effect and plan on going after it when I have "finished" trees (they could be formal upright, informal upright, slant, etc.).

I was more or less thinking about willow and cherry types. I have a lot of examples of real trees that weep this way. Where the branches grow up, then out, the dramatically and pendulously down.

october · Mar 26, 2014

Poink88 said:
Here is a Montezuma cypress I own that just naturally assumed the weeping style (I did nothing to make it do this). I will be pursuing it now.

Just an observation. I think this tree might have a fungal disease. Of course, it could be other things such as sudden frost, intense heat or just winter dieback. However, the browning in certain sections and the younger growth browning and dying might be a sign of it. You have a ton of new and healthy growth emerging. If this new growth extends, browns and then dies, it is probably fungal. Just something to look out for.

Rob

Poink88 · Mar 26, 2014

october said:
Just an observation. I think this tree might have a fungal disease. Of course, it could be other things such as sudden frost, intense heat or just winter dieback. However, the browning in certain sections and the younger growth browning and dying might be a sign of it. You have a ton of new and healthy growth emerging. If this new growth extends, browns and then dies, it is probably fungal. Just something to look out for.

Rob

Thanks, probably winter die back. All new buds are green...the dead leaves are all from last year. It is very healthy and bushy now. The pic was taken more than a month ago.

Cadillactaste · Mar 26, 2014

I looked into this as well...and I was actually told by a bonsai nursery that it is quite daunting...because branches tend to want to go out and up. Even on a weeping variety...their weep isn't as pronounced as it needs to be to carry it off for bonsai.

Though...I must admit...not really weeping...but...ABCarve's rosemary when it needs pruned...has quite a weeping look to me in the foliage.

Not really a weeping...but it gives me a hint of one...sort of. I will be attempting to keep one over next winter...and give it a go if I have success.

jk_lewis · Mar 26, 2014

Here are a couple from recent Carolina Bonsai Expo displays. 1. Bald Cypress. 2. Willow.

weeping trees

Chumono

Imperial Masterpiece

Chumono

Imperial Masterpiece

Omono

Attachments

Chumono

Omono

Drop Branch Murphy

Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you

Chumono

Imperial Masterpiece

Omono

Chumono

Chumono

Imperial Masterpiece

Chumono

Masterpiece

Imperial Masterpiece

Neagari Gal

Masterpiece

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