Bald cypress and dawn redwood

[Wilson]

The couple people I have spoken with who grow both, all seem to prefer BC. Mine show a drastic difference in the size of foliage.

 

[Vin]

The couple people I have spoken with who grow both, all seem to prefer BC. Mine show a drastic difference in the size of foliage.View attachment 162679

Yes, you are correct. Same with Montezuma, it's smaller than Bald. And then there is Pond which is somewhat finer than all of them.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

On bald cypress, I don't know why it is said you can't cut the green growth. What is left on the tree (what isn't pruned off) will still harden off (turn brown) and will still make additional branches on it, sometimes before it hardens off. Sometimes you actually need to prune it while it is still green, especially at the apex. I have had new growth extend 18 inches and get 3/8 to 1/2 inch before it hardens off, which is too much for the apex. Maybe it is Ryan's growing climate, but I can get at least two, sometimes three, prune/regrow cycles in one summer.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

I'm not a Master so I pretty much prune when it needs it. Sorry for the crappy photos.

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Nice job on this one Vin, I think it is the best dawn redwood that I have ever seen. It actually has a lot of movement. Most that you see are stove pipes and too bushy.

 

[Vin]

Nice job on this one Vin, I think it is the best dawn redwood that I have ever seen. It actually has a lot of movement. Most that you see are stove pipes and too bushy.

WOW! Thanks for that!

 

[BillsBayou]

I'm not a Master so I pretty much prune when it needs it. Sorry for the crappy photos.

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Very nice!

 

[Wilson]

My dawn redwood has shown me how vigorous they can be. This is a seedling I started in a leftover chicken tray. It has almost fully healed oveŕ a midsummer chop.

 

[Cadillactaste]

@Vin ...what about the old age saying...a tree must run to gain strength? I cut mine back far less this year. With a hard prune later...allowing it to run this year for health. Though, to be honest. It appeared healthy anyways. But...Isn't that the saying...to allow a tree to be a tree and grow free to ensure health?

Love the direction you are taking with your tree by the way. Love the tight branches. I am appreciating tight branches more and more. I see trees and think visually they need taken back.

 

[Cadillactaste]

On bald cypress, I don't know why it is said you can't cut the green growth. What is left on the tree (what isn't pruned off) will still harden off (turn brown) and will still make additional branches on it, sometimes before it hardens off. Sometimes you actually need to prune it while it is still green, especially at the apex. I have had new growth extend 18 inches and get 3/8 to 1/2 inch before it hardens off, which is too much for the apex. Maybe it is Ryan's growing climate, but I can get at least two, sometimes three, prune/regrow cycles in one summer.

I've cut mine green before as an experiment. And it lignafied...so I tend to jump on Vin's bandwagon.

 

[Vin]

@Vin ...what about the old age saying...a tree must run to gain strength? I cut mine back far less this year. With a hard prune later...allowing it to run this year for health. Though, to be honest. It appeared healthy anyways. But...Isn't that the saying...to allow a tree to be a tree and grow free to ensure health?

Love the direction you are taking with your tree by the way. Love the tight branches. I am appreciating tight branches more and more. I see trees and think visually they need taken back.

After a repot, hard prune or something that has stressed the tree you let it gain strength. After it has settled in it's back to a controlled environment.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

I've cut mine green before as an experiment. And it lignafied...so I tend to jump on Vin's bandwagon.

So, you have observed it, too. I say trim it all if it needs it, don't worry about old/new growth.

 

[Cadillactaste]

So, you have observed it, too. I say trim it all if it needs it, don't worry about old/new growth.

Yes, I was curious. Seen no ill effects from pruning branches that were not lignafied.

 

[markyscott]

I’ve pruned mine at this stage:



Color is changing from green to brown, but no bark yet. I think it was just beginning to lignify.

Scott

 

[BillsBayou]

I’ve pruned mine at this stage:

...

Color is changing from green to brown, but no bark yet. I think it was just beginning to lignify.

Scott

Some of those branches look a bit too straight. I want to see some boogie.

Other than that, you've got great growth. How long ago were these photos taken?

 

[Bonsaihead]

I'm not sure what you mean when you wrote "Don't get it?". The link you provided takes you to a page that lists different species suitable for bonsai. However, in the text above the list is the statement I quoted. You asked "what will dawn redwood come under in this species guide". The answer is nothing. Dawn Redwood is its own species and although it has many similar visual characteristics as Bald Cypress it is not quite the same. Coast Redwood also has similar characteristics as Bald Cypress and for that matter Dawn Redwood. However, it to has to be treated differently when pruning. Although I have all three species, I do not have all the answers. So, if Ryan says what you wrote then follow his guidelines.

Not to thread jump but if you don't mind me asking, would really love to hear from someone with all three. Which of the three do you enjoy working with the most, which do you find most suitable for bonsai and why? Thanks in advance!

 

[markyscott]

Some of those branches look a bit too straight. I want to see some boogie.

Other than that, you've got great growth. How long ago were these photos taken?

Last spring

 

[Vin]

Not to thread jump but if you don't mind me asking, would really love to hear from someone with all three. Which of the three do you enjoy working with the most, which do you find most suitable for bonsai and why? Thanks in advance!

Bald Cypress, Bald Cypress, Bald Cypress!

My Coasts really seem to struggle with the Florida environment and I want to sell them as soon as I get around to it.

Montezuma do as well as BC so if you can find one with an interesting base that would be the way to go because the leaves are smaller. However, finding one with an interesting base will be a challenge. I've been growing mine from seedlings and plan on putting them in the ground for a few years this Spring.

BC are plentiful and very easily take to a bonsai form. Buy a collected one from one of the many sources out there and away you go. If you want to kill one, you'll have to work at it. I hope that helps.

EDIT: Oh, I forgot Dawn Redwood. Dawns are really easy to work with as well. However, they are basically telephone poles at nurseries so again the challenge is going to be finding one with an interesting base.

 

[Bonsaihead]

Bald Cypress, Bald Cypress, Bald Cypress!

My Coasts really seem to struggle with the Florida environment and I want to sell them as soon as I get around to it.

Montezuma do as well as BC so if you can find one with an interesting base that would be the way to go because the leaves are smaller. However, finding one with an interesting base will be a challenge. I've been growing mine from seedlings and plan on putting them in the ground for a few years this Spring.

BC are plentiful and very easily take to a bonsai form. Buy a collected one from one of the many sources out there and away you go. If you want to kill one, you'll have to work at it. I hope that helps.

EDIT: Oh, I forgot Dawn Redwood. Dawns are really easy to work with as well. However, they are basically telephone poles at nurseries so again the challenge is going to be finding one with an interesting base.

Thanks that helps a million. This is what I'm currently looking at buying

 

[Bonsaihead]

Also could you point me in the direction of some good Florida growers? Been looking for some that could be recommend by someone instead of just finding them online and rolling the dice.

 

[Vin]

Also could you point me in the direction of some good Florida growers? Been looking for some that could be recommend by someone instead of just finding them online and rolling the dice.

I would check with Wigert's and D&L Nursery and see what they have. There are a few more Bonsai Nurseries in your area but I can't remember their names. Florida Growers aren't going to have stock like this:



You'll either need to collect them like I did or find one at a Bonsai Nursery. If you belong to a club they may have some additional resources as well.