Bald Cypress Nursery Tree to Bonsai Journey

StarTurtle

Yamadori
Messages
62
Reaction score
9
Location
Richardson Texas
USDA Zone
8a
I picked up this Bald Cypress for $30 at a local nursery August of 2013 it was about 15 ft tall in a 40 gal container that was over half empty of soil so I added a nursery mix and let it grow until late this winter. It got a trunk chop and first root reduction 3/14/14. Below are some Pics from the work.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0332.jpg
    IMG_0332.jpg
    203 KB · Views: 283
  • IMG_0333.jpg
    IMG_0333.jpg
    202.6 KB · Views: 327
  • IMG_0334.jpg
    IMG_0334.jpg
    206.1 KB · Views: 315
  • IMG_0335.jpg
    IMG_0335.jpg
    200.6 KB · Views: 305
  • IMG_0347.jpg
    IMG_0347.jpg
    208.1 KB · Views: 290
Last edited:

StarTurtle

Yamadori
Messages
62
Reaction score
9
Location
Richardson Texas
USDA Zone
8a
These where taken on May 1, 2014
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0436.jpg
    IMG_0436.jpg
    197 KB · Views: 273
  • IMG_0437.jpg
    IMG_0437.jpg
    198 KB · Views: 256
  • IMG_0438.jpg
    IMG_0438.jpg
    204.4 KB · Views: 295

Wee

Chumono
Messages
645
Reaction score
269
Location
Cartersville Ga
USDA Zone
7b
Great tree....I wish I could find one like that for $30 down my way....I have never seen one at a nursery in the North Ga area.

Brian
 

Wee

Chumono
Messages
645
Reaction score
269
Location
Cartersville Ga
USDA Zone
7b
Yep....I keep an eye on their site from time to time...They also sale on CL.....I haven't seen anything from them in this size range and by the price of the small ones they do have I figure it would be $300 plus...Shipping would not be a problem I could just go pick it up but I ain't got 3 bills to drop on one anyway.

Brian
 

StarTurtle

Yamadori
Messages
62
Reaction score
9
Location
Richardson Texas
USDA Zone
8a
Great tree....I wish I could find one like that for $30 down my way....I have never seen one at a nursery in the North Ga area.

Brian

Ya it was pretty poor looking when I bought it, he just wanted it gone since no one else would likely buy it. I just wanted the trunk, so we where both happy.This is how it looks today 5/22/2014.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    201.7 KB · Views: 218

jkd2572

Masterpiece
Messages
2,065
Reaction score
73
Location
Plano, Texas
USDA Zone
7
Nice find. I did the same thing with a similar size bald cypress. The top of the tree was dead so I talked the nursery into selling me a$1000 tree for $100. Cut it down at the nursery. It then took a fork lift to get in in the back of my truck. I used a saw za to cut it out of the nursery tub. It's on its 3rd growing season at my house and progressing fast. Paying for the bonsai pot it's in is what really killed me. http://www.bigbonsaitrees.com/SearchResults.asp?searching=Y&sort=13&cat=1814&show=100&page=1
This site does not have bases like star turtles tree......... Star turtle I finally recognized you in your avatar. Funny we live a few miles apart.
 
Last edited:

herzausstahl

Chumono
Messages
522
Reaction score
547
Location
NE Wisconsin
USDA Zone
5a
Great tree....I wish I could find one like that for $30 down my way....I have never seen one at a nursery in the North Ga area.

Brian

I'm with you, I've seen them at one nursery here but they are half the size and a $100 at least.
 

mcpesq817

Omono
Messages
1,810
Reaction score
499
Location
VA
USDA Zone
7
That base on your second picture is fantastic. Nice score!
 

StarTurtle

Yamadori
Messages
62
Reaction score
9
Location
Richardson Texas
USDA Zone
8a
Update pic as of today. Just letting it recover this season real work begins next spring
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    206 KB · Views: 198
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    206.1 KB · Views: 207

larlamonde

Shohin
Messages
250
Reaction score
22
Location
Pittsburgh
I picked up this Bald Cypress for $30 at a local nursery August of 2013 it was about 15 ft tall in a 40 gal container that was over half empty of soil so I added a nursery mix and let it grow until late this winter. It got a trunk chop and first root reduction 3/14/14. Below are some Pics from the work.

Hey ST wondering about those branches that are growing up. Can you cut them off and start over. Verses bending them down and getting that undesirable bow at the base. I have a dawn redwood with the same problem and wondering what to do.
 

StarTurtle

Yamadori
Messages
62
Reaction score
9
Location
Richardson Texas
USDA Zone
8a
Hey ST wondering about those branches that are growing up. Can you cut them off and start over. Verses bending them down and getting that undesirable bow at the base. I have a dawn redwood with the same problem and wondering what to do.

Yep I plan on cutting some off but with the major root work and trunk chop this year I am just giving it a season to recover a bit. I am thinking that I might need to chop the trunk again so I can work the taper some more. I will get the root ball much smaller and was planing to do a flat top but considering other options now. This is my first Bald Cypress so I learn a lot already, tough as nails, can tolerate major work, grows like a weed here, love wet feet just stick it in a tub of water.
 

sikadelic

Chumono
Messages
900
Reaction score
375
Location
Southwest VA
USDA Zone
6B
BC is right up there as a favorite for me too. Those big trunks do it for me and like you said, they're tough. Good start there with yours. Mine will get some wire next Spring.
 

StarTurtle

Yamadori
Messages
62
Reaction score
9
Location
Richardson Texas
USDA Zone
8a
Update on Progress - Sorry I did'nt get pics of the root work this year but I was able to cut out the big stump that was keeping me from reducing to a smaller pot what a pain it was but used the sawsall and made it easier. The first pic is after the root work and the following pics where taken today 6-25-2015. The root work must have sapped its energy because its slow to grow this year so holding off on any major work.

Next work will be carving the trunk and starting branch structure.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0276.JPG
    IMG_0276.JPG
    360.2 KB · Views: 132
  • IMG_0333.JPG
    IMG_0333.JPG
    348.4 KB · Views: 134
  • IMG_0334.JPG
    IMG_0334.JPG
    400.6 KB · Views: 126
  • IMG_0335.JPG
    IMG_0335.JPG
    379.3 KB · Views: 125
  • IMG_0336.JPG
    IMG_0336.JPG
    443.1 KB · Views: 136

Salvarez

Mame
Messages
131
Reaction score
81
Location
Baton Rouge, La
USDA Zone
9
Update on Progress - Sorry I did'nt get pics of the root work this year but I was able to cut out the big stump that was keeping me from reducing to a smaller pot what a pain it was but used the sawsall and made it easier. The first pic is after the root work and the following pics where taken today 6-25-2015. The root work must have sapped its energy because its slow to grow this year so holding off on any major work.

Next work will be carving the trunk and starting branch structure.
I wonder how this tree is now???
 
Top Bottom