I will also be able to compare the difference of how I'm going about making my other cypress that is similar in size. That one I focused on growing branch structure first and wanted a small tree. This one I want a flared base and a medium sized tree. Both will be in a tub of water but I will keep refining the first one and the one in this thread will be letting it grow out and get thicker along with building some taper on down the road. Wont need to worry to much about branch structure for a long time on this one. I'm hoping to see my other bald's base swell also.
I really want to see if its necessary to just let it grow out to get a nice base or can you grow and style branches and also grow out the base. A couple of years of this should show the facts for my conditions.. I would think letting it grow out would swell up the base way faster.
Comparison picture of the two trees.
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The one on the right needs to be left alone for a year or more. It's a bit weak. I have some that get weak like that. I leave them alone. I fertilize them only moderately. I do keep them flooded. Parts may or may not die off. What I get in the end (if it survives) is a stronger tree with interesting design challenges.
The tree on the left has too much movement in the trunk at the top. I say leave it there, however. As more branches develop, up there, you'll end up with some fascinating choices for design leaders.
I'm not a fan of your branch angles. The angles of the branches at the base appear to come off the trunk at a higher angle than the branches higher up in the tree. Some artists who are more knowledgeable than I am will take the lowest branches and bend them so that they are coming off the trunk at a sharp downward angle. I don't care for this. This makes the tree look like a redwood or some other formal upright northern tree; one that suffers heavy snow in the winter. BC do not suffer heavy snow here in teh south. There should be a slight upward angle on the lowest branches. Just higher than horizontal. Then a BC limb will go out at a slow arc.
Higher up the tree, the angles, relative to the trunk, will be higher.
You have one last branch, right near the top, on the left side of the trunk. It appears to be going straight up before it bends to the left. You now have two branches competing to be the apex. You should either choose the branch on the left as the new leader and cut off the the higher leader on the right, or you should bring the angle of the left branch down so that it more resembles a branch.
These are nice pieces of material. Keep us posted.