Different take on bald cypress styling

[Joe Dupre']

Here's one I've never seen in the books. This is my "test mule" bald cypress. I collected it two years ago and it didn't sprout out near the chop. I've been trying different things since then. This is the latest. The two lower branches are from the first year. The tall leader has grown this past summer. While not a typical style, I've certainly seen trees that exibit similar behavior through the years.

 

[just.wing.it]

Love it, let that top grow a few years to get a more appealing transition and you're off to the races.
BC are great, they develop so fast, and have become one of my favorite species for bonsai.

 

[Huggz13]

Love it!

 

[Joe Dupre']

Can't wait to see it all leafed out. The top does have to come down some. I might make that set of top 3 branches into some kind of a flat top.

I think the tree goes well with my homemade concrete pot. Not too bad for 50 cents of concrete and an old towel.

 

[19Mateo83]

Not bad at all, it’s awesome little tree full of potential. I’d like to see where this tree is in 5 years.

 

[Mike Westervelt]

Who made the pot?

 

[19Mateo83]

Who made the pot?

I believe he did, atleast that’s what it says above

 

[Joe Dupre']

Yep, I made the pot. Concrete soaked towel draped over a shallow plastic tray. A little messy but super easy.

 

[19Mateo83]

Yep, I made the pot. Concrete soaked towel draped over a shallow plastic tray. A little messy but super easy.

Damn that’s a great idea!

 

[Michael P]

Your tree reminds me of this wild tree that Leo posted:

DSCN1751 (2019_10_20 19_42_16 UTC).jpg

The most popular Bonsai Community in the WORLD!

www.bonsainut.com

I admire Leo's tree so much that I want to try the design on my next bald cypress.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Yep, I made the pot. Concrete soaked towel draped over a shallow plastic tray. A little messy but super easy.

You have any photos?

 

[PA_Penjing]

I like this a lot. I think branches on the lower portion of the leader will help tie in the side shoots left on the "stump". Terrific base, reminds me of some Chinese rotten stump style elms.

 

[HorseloverFat]

You have any photos?

He has MANY threads on concrete fabrication!

I use them (the threads) as examples when folks ask about making concrete pots/slabs.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I like this a lot. I think branches on the lower portion of the leader will help tie in the side shoots left on the "stump". Terrific base, reminds me of some Chinese rotten stump style elms.

My thoughts exactly.. I am VERY excited to see this deviation from "the norm"... I actually... find myself overwhelmed with ALL the great, very skillfully developed ,more-formal upright BC Bonsai trees... They ALL stand out so much.. it's.. Hard for any of them to stand out, in my opinion..

If that makes sense.

 

[Joe Dupre']

Here's a look of that pot in progress. Two parts sand and 1 part portland cement and enough water to make a thin slurry. Soak the cloth in the solution and drape it over an oiled container of your choice. Trim to a roughly even edge all around, cut out a couple of drainage holes and let dry for a couple of days. After drying for several days, immerse in water for several more days.

 

[Huggz13]

Here's a look of that pot in progress. Two parts sand and 1 part portland cement and enough water to make a thin slurry. Soak the cloth in the solution and drape it over an oiled container of your choice. Trim to a roughly even edge all around, cut out a couple of drainage holes and let dry for a couple of days. After drying for several days, immerse in water for several more days.

View attachment 418535

I’m doing this!
Is there any particular paint that you’ve found works best? Or just good old fashioned spray paint?

 

[Joe Dupre']

I just used the cheap acrylic paint in the craft section at Walmart. You might have to re-do it every couple of years, but that would take only 5 minutes or so. Search "draped concrete pots" on Youtube. Dozens of videos.

 

[Huggz13]

I just used the cheap acrylic paint in the craft section at Walmart. You might have to re-do it every couple of years, but that would take only 5 minutes or so. Search "draped concrete pots" on Youtube. Dozens of videos.

Thanks!

 

[John P.]

Great tree, pot, and thread.

 

[Cajunrider]

Here's one I've never seen in the books. This is my "test mule" bald cypress. I collected it two years ago and it didn't sprout out near the chop. I've been trying different things since then. This is the latest. The two lower branches are from the first year. The tall leader has grown this past summer. While not a typical style, I've certainly seen trees that exibit similar behavior through the years.


View attachment 418439

Like I said in the post below, I am thinking about doing one too. I certainly have seen BCs like this in the wild.

Looking for a sumo Jabba the hut/Hershey Kiss trunk based in the USA

Right...and I wanted a tree that growls when you walk by it. Just one...everyone deserves one. Yes? I know you already have this... b u t . . . maybe with your connections (or if @Cajunrider can find one) you could see if someone could collect a very wide base but short BC and chop it super...

www.bonsainut.com