Best time to trunk chop a Bald Cypress?

[theta]

I'm in Northern GA, about about an hour north of Atlanta. I saw some nice looking Bald Cypresses at a garden center the other day and was wondering if now (mid June) is an OK time to perform a trunk chop on these things?

They were probably about 12' tall, nice flared trunk at the base. They were already marked down, but if I can get them to sell me one for even lower, I want to get one.

 

[DougB]

If they have nice flared trunks and are healthy with sprouts and buds all over the place, then I would get 2 or 3 of them. With care you should be able to greatly reduce their height. Hopefully John G. will chime in and give better advice. And remember pictures are appreciated.

 

[johng]

I've chopped through the end of July. You just need to have enough time for the new growth to harden off before the end of the season...

GO FOR IT!

John

 

[Giga]

Yeah Ive chopped late in the season too, they are very strong trees. Just be carful if you work the roots, I've had hit or miss with repots in the summer

 

[theta]

Well ok great, thanks for all the feedback. I'll try to get one of these things and keep you updated.

 

[michaelj]

How much do these trees cost in garden centers where you live?

 

[theta]

How much do these trees cost in garden centers where you live?

This is the first time I've seen them, they had about 4 or 5 there marked down for some red tag sales event. $115 for most of them, one was $80. I have no idea if this is a good price for them or not. The one I was interested in was the $80 one because it had the biggest trunk.

 

[CWTurner]

I bare rooted my bald Cypress in early May and mounted it on a plastic lid to set the roots.

Today its looking pretty good. Lots of water, rich soil, full sun.

 

[JohnDoses]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I am chopping a bald cypress of mine this spring, and I'm unsure of exactly how to go about doing so. Do you make the cut, and then wait for a new leader to hopefully grow in the correct spot (probably easy enough with BC). Or wait until you have a new leader, and then make the cut right above it?

 

[markyscott]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I am chopping a bald cypress of mine this spring, and I'm unsure of exactly how to go about doing so. Do you make the cut, and then wait for a new leader to hopefully grow in the correct spot (probably easy enough with BC). Or wait until you have a new leader, and then make the cut right above it?

I cut it straight across a little above where I'd like the final height of the old trunk section to end. BC are pretty apical dominant, so I have no doubt that a new leader will soon develop. When that happens, eliminate all shoots except for the dominant one, and cut the trunk at a 45 degree angle with the new shoot at the top. Seal all cuts well.

Scott

 

[JohnDoses]

thanks Scott, that makes sense!

 

[jquast]

They do air layer fairly easily as well.