Bald Cypress, The new addition to the family

[David P]

I finally was able to add a beautiful swamp collected Bald Cypress to my collection all made possible by @Cajunrider. I can't thank him enough for picking a real nice one in my price range and going through the hassle of shipping it out to California for me. Thank you so much Cajunrider!

Here it is, I can't wait to start working on it after it settles into its new home. I probably wont touch it for a year. What do you guys think? can't wait to collect peoples opinions and ideas for it.

 

[Srt8madness]

Sweet!!

 

[pandacular]

I also got one from cjr, though mine is a bit smaller with less in the way of established branches.

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/pandas-bald-cypress.61289/

 

[awarrenj]

Congrats, really nice tree. I have become excited about BC and have 5 now at various stages. I bought 2 from John Geanangel in SC that are staying with him til spring. He said they shouldn't be worked until May/June next year.

 

[Cajunrider]

Congrats, really nice tree. I have become excited about BC and have 5 now at various stages. I bought 2 from John Geanangel in SC that are staying with him til spring. He said they shouldn't be worked until May/June next year.

Those trees from John looks very nice.

 

[rockm]

I finally was able to add a beautiful swamp collected Bald Cypress to my collection all made possible by @Cajunrider. I can't thank him enough for picking a real nice one in my price range and going through the hassle of shipping it out to California for me. Thank you so much Cajunrider!

Here it is, I can't wait to start working on it after it settles into its new home. I probably wont touch it for a year. What do you guys think? can't wait to collect peoples opinions and ideas for it.

Wait at least two years before doing anything to it. If you're in So. Cal. the environment is substantially different than the one it came from. It will need more than a year to re-establish a good healthy root system. Keep it on the wet side, obviously.

In that time, you will also learn how to care for it and what it needs. Also, although BC are pretty bullet proof, be prepared for set-backs. They happen, particularly with species you're not familiar with. For instance, you've planted the nebari above the soil line. That is not a really Not a great thing to do with newly-collected BC. That exposure can lead to die back on the nebari as it dries out in the sun. Cover the nebari with soil for the next year or two to allow it to recover.

Long thinner trunks like this one suggest a flat top style, but it's really up to you. As it is, it's a bit too tall for a more conical conifer form.

 

[Cajunrider]

Wait at least two years before doing anything to it. If you're in So. Cal. the environment is substantially different than the one it came from. It will need more than a year to re-establish a good healthy root system. Keep it on the wet side, obviously.

In that time, you will also learn how to care for it and what it needs. Also, although BC are pretty bullet proof, be prepared for set-backs. They happen, particularly with species you're not familiar with. For instance, you've planted the nebari above the soil line. That is not a really Not a great thing to do with newly-collected BC. That exposure can lead to die back on the nebari as it dries out in the sun. Cover the nebari with soil for the next year or two to allow it to recover.

Long thinner trunks like this one suggest a flat top style, but it's really up to you. As it is, it's a bit too tall for a more conical conifer form.

We thought the same thing. I've advised David to cover the nebari and he already did. These pictures were taken before the addition of soil.
About the flat top. I was thinking about putting the current apex on a slant away from the chop then pick a new bud below the chop on the opposite side to lean in opposite direction. Then a bud near the tree off of either branch near the center of the tree can be developed as the off trunk center apex. That will complete the flat top look. This tree has a beautiful flare that caused me to make that top selection and the slant cut that matches the curve of the root flare. Picture 5 and 7 of the original post tell me the angle that the current top branch should go. It really shouldn't be straight up if we are going for flat top. After all this is David's tree, he will make the choice I think the tree can be developed as a small informal upright but as always BC will try to grow and a bit more upkeep will be required.

 

[Stormwater]

Wait at least two years before doing anything to it. If you're in So. Cal. the environment is substantially different than the one it came from. It will need more than a year to re-establish a good healthy root system. Keep it on the wet side, obviously.

In that time, you will also learn how to care for it and what it needs. Also, although BC are pretty bullet proof, be prepared for set-backs. They happen, particularly with species you're not familiar with. For instance, you've planted the nebari above the soil line. That is not a really Not a great thing to do with newly-collected BC. That exposure can lead to die back on the nebari as it dries out in the sun. Cover the nebari with soil for the next year or two to allow it to recover.

Long thinner trunks like this one suggest a flat top style, but it's really up to you. As it is, it's a bit too tall for a more conical conifer form.

This is amazing, I mean I understand different environments and all. After a total repot this may, my BC is ready for it again. Amazing growth. These things are so fun.

 

[David P]

We thought the same thing. I've advised David to cover the nebari and he already did. These pictures were taken before the addition of soil.
About the flat top. I was thinking about putting the current apex on a slant away from the chop then pick a new bud below the chop on the opposite side to lean in opposite direction. Then a bud near the tree off of either branch near the center of the tree can be developed as the off trunk center apex. That will complete the flat top look. This tree has a beautiful flare that caused me to make that top selection and the slant cut that matches the curve of the root flare. Picture 5 and 7 of the original post tell me the angle that the current top branch should go. It really shouldn't be straight up if we are going for flat top. After all this is David's tree, he will make the choice I think the tree can be developed as a small informal upright but as always BC will try to grow and a bit more upkeep will be required.

Yes thanks thanks for clarification @Cajunrider, I have put much more soil and have covered all the nebari. At this stage all I want for the tree is to get acclimated to its new environment and to develop a healthy root system.

 

[David P]

Congrats, really nice tree. I have become excited about BC and have 5 now at various stages. I bought 2 from John Geanangel in SC that are staying with him til spring. He said they shouldn't be worked until May/June next year.

They look like very nice trees.

 

[dbonsaiw]

I finally was able to add a beautiful swamp collected Bald Cypress to my collection all made possible by @Cajunrider.

nice tree