Pc #2

Appliance Guy · Jan 7, 2015

Here's a pond cypress I collected. It's a big tree, standing at 32 inches from soil to where the top was chopped. Apparently it was chopped in the past, looks like maybe 2-3 years ago. I figured it would give me a good start.

I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm thinking just let it grow for a year before I do anything. But thought I'd ask what can be done with tghis tree.

Wee · Jan 7, 2015

It has nice taper....

Don Blackmond · Jan 7, 2015

I'd shorten it considerably now. You will end up wanting it shorter later, so no reason to wait.

The trunk is not suited to a tall formal upright or flattop, imo. So, I'd make it a shorter formal upright, or perhaps a shorter hollowed tree.

Regardless, I'd chop it down, seal the wound, and let it grow unchecked for a season.

Giga · Jan 7, 2015

look up john video's on bald cypress-since there almost the same it'll be good info

jk_lewis · Jan 8, 2015

The trunk is not suited to a tall formal upright or flattop, imo.

Why on earth not? And why chop? Thirty two inches is a nice height for these. Leaves will be in proper proportion.

Please explain your reasoning.

Don Blackmond · Jan 8, 2015

jkl said:
Why on earth not? And why chop? Thirty two inches is a nice height for these. Leaves will be in proper proportion.

Please explain your reasoning.

There is very little taper from the base to the chop. Look at the height in relation to the lower trunk thickness. You will want it shorter or the trunk thicker, and in this case, it is easier to shorten than thicken. That is just my opinion though.

jk_lewis · Jan 8, 2015

You obviously have not seen BC in nature. They do not (ordinarily) hold to the typical bonsai taper shape. That tree has a nearly ideal naturalistic BC shape/taper -- unless you care for the Gary Marchal, TeePee shaped trees.

thumblessprimate1 · Jan 8, 2015

I agree with Don on this, and that is because of the low degree of dynamics in the taper of the subject.

The subject doesn't have the same dynamic taper as the first and last tree; the taper is much more gradual. To get the tree to look like the second tree it'd have to be grown very tall. Ultimately, I think Don's idea would be best.

I'll throw in the idea of hollowing and carving in the future of the cypress, but it'd still be a better as a short tree.

Don Blackmond · Jan 8, 2015

jkl said:
You obviously have not seen BC in nature. They do not (ordinarily) hold to the typical bonsai taper shape. That tree has a nearly ideal naturalistic BC shape/taper -- unless you care for the Gary Marchal, TeePee shaped trees.

I've seen a few bc, and I am quite familiar with them.

The only way this tree will have a naturalistic shape/taper is if its grown 3-4 times its current height.

KennedyMarx · Jan 8, 2015

Chopping it lower will certainly make the trunk more dramatic. They grow like weeds. The development time wouldn't be impacted that much.

Pc #2

Appliance Guy

Mame

Wee

Chumono

Don Blackmond

Omono

Giga

Masterpiece

jk_lewis

Masterpiece

Don Blackmond

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jk_lewis

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thumblessprimate1

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Don Blackmond

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KennedyMarx

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