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I wasn't implying it wasn't a nice little tree but the best illusion of age is brought out with well ramified branches and, in turn, reduced leaves... BC are a bit reluctant to begin with and leaving them in water just makes shoots grow large and strong rather than tight and slow. Its a...

Unfortunately I don't have a formal process, I kind of let the natural ebb and flow of our climate dictate... mimics the natural state of the bayous. At some point we're dry enough for long enough that I start to water them then I plunk them on the bench... Gary Marchal used to say it was a...

For a shohin size tree one would not consider that finely ramified. I predict it will be an issue. Maybe I will be proven wrong.

Definitely a solution if you can't keep and/or want strong growth. The root capacity is affected- "water roots" that must be kept saturated at all times and the growth is potentially much coarser. I do it myself since TX conditions can be unforgiving bu anything I would be potentially...

Finally got around to working on this one and snapping some pics. Still needs some deadwood treatment. This tree is a real balancing act and compromise. The strong lateral base gives two choices for fronts. I included an older shot of the front not chosen. What may have been flattened out...

Many of mine have a red undertone that peeks through the bark here and there.

DR also has coarser leaflets? A bit thicker? BC will also have red trunks.

Usually you do an initial flat chop and work with the best backbud you get unless you see a clear leader that you want to use already in place in front. You let that leader grow a while and refine the chop site before it calluses over. On the new leader you will generally chop that back to one...

I think of it in terms of a push pull or a circular system of roots that supply the building blocks for growth and foliage that is the solar panel that provides the fuel to make it all happen. A bit simplistic as I don't get into things like hormonal effects and all that... You've "hedged...

That is not really "chopped"... more like "convenienced pruned". It will certainly continue to add girth if you let it. You want to chop when its about 2/3 the girth you want.

As offered, I'm not a big fan of this as a front... take away the roots and you just have a flattish face...

Layering is not a great option. BC just seem to prefer to bridge over or just say F-U and die... Welcome to pot bound nursery material... My thoughts more or less in order of preference: 1. Get the tree extremely healthy, cut it off, clean up the edge, hit with rooting hormone and sink...

^ this... I would keep the leader and maybe a back up or alternate or three... unless you have a crystal clear vision of where you are going. You want all the energy and resources to be between the desired shoots and the roots supporting them. And don't trim them back just let them go...

Ground preferred if you can. Swampy area would be ideal. If not, or 1 to 3 gallon pots if you can't. Good nursery mix is preferred. If there is an obvious tap root that could be removed, but probably not necessary. You really want it to hit the ground running. Plan on providing some...

No, but not one I collected.... it makes for an interesting piece. Lot of decisions.

So now is where you let it grow out profusely and then train it back (despite what any local club members tell you to do!). You want it to get over its climate shock and gain a lot of strength. Mild liquid fertilizers frequently and/or top dressing types all through the growing season.

No one will ever accuse you of being afraid to do the drastic work necessary...

You are perfectly able to do the hollow and bend thing like a juniper. Another little known trick is they will self-graft so that opens another realm of possibilities- I.e. wrap and wire a couple wispy branches together to thicken the leader... Its not so much the leader (which is a bit long...

Yeah... like this next one I have on the turntable... still waiting for it to fall...Base seems like it would be straight forward, but the trunk is bizarre. Almost think its got some Pond Cypress genetics.

I was looking through the old photos and there's that one with the little scrawny elm and I was trying to figure out WTF I was thinking... Maybe slant style or something. Much better now.

It's also matured some and is showing some signs of age and really needed some attention. Thoughts were something literati but today I saw a candidate for a weeping style. Besides, it looks like all the cool kids are doing it! There are more branches kept than needed and the main goal for...

This isn't a monster cypress but its what I brought in on a rainy day... I imagine this was collected but not by me and came in a collection I purchased four or so years ago, It's always been one of those pieces lacking any clear design direction so it has sat on the bench. Unless "horse...

Right.... that cool twisty going on!

Nothing because its late spring/early summer here...