BALD CYPRESS

[Wulfskaar]

This tree is a work of art.

While this would look awkward on many other trees, the way this one is composed is quite breathtaking. It carries the lines of the composition off the "canvas" very elegantly, like water flowing over rocks.

My only worry is what it looks like with leaves. Does it lose it's grace and become a bush? I'd love for you to post a pic of it this spring/summer with leaves on it.

 

[snowman04]

He has this shot in the thread:


It should give you an idea of how graceful this creation is...

 

[Wulfskaar]

He has this shot in the thread:

View attachment 583946
It should give you an idea of how graceful this creation is...

I missed that! I do love it still. I look forward to this year's pics.

 

[LittleDingus]

Thank you for your critique. I don't ever care where it comes from it is always good to get feedback

The move to brake the line of the pot was a highly considered design decision. Extending the lines gives the tree more elegance and a less constrained look. It's less predictable and different that what one might expect and I like that. A bit like coloring outside the lines. Every time one steps out it's subject to be called out. That's perfectly ok. It is what makes this world an interesting place.

With that said, I do believe that if it was a massive number of branches dragging down the entire visual weight of the tree, then yes I think that may take us out of the visual as you mentioned.

I color outside the lines too much...but you're right, it is interesting out here

I guess what I was really wondering is the future direction of this tree. Now that the ground plane is broken, how far do you take it? That first branch that comes down and to the right that breaks the ground plane the furthest will continue to thicken. It's already starting to pull some weight towards the bottom of the tree. At what point is it too much? Next year? 3 years? My guess is somewhere in between.

Is that the point you cut back hard and rebuild...or maybe take the tree in an entirely new direction?

That's the problem I have maintaining fast growing trees at this scale. It seems they have a sweet spot of only a few years before they become unbalanced. Sometimes you can let them grow "up" to get some balance back. But this tree's up seems fixed without a serious cutback and rebuild. Continuing to let it grow down doesn't seem viable either.

Anyway, thanks for your time! Much appreciated!!

 

[MACH5]

My only worry is what it looks like with leaves. Does it lose it's grace and become a bush? I'd love for you to post a pic of it this spring/summer with leaves on it.

This is always a challenge with all deciduous trees. IMO you can't never really appreciate them in they way they can be expressed in winter as their lines get obscured.

 

[MACH5]

I color outside the lines too much...but you're right, it is interesting out here

I guess what I was really wondering is the future direction of this tree. Now that the ground plane is broken, how far do you take it? That first branch that comes down and to the right that breaks the ground plane the furthest will continue to thicken. It's already starting to pull some weight towards the bottom of the tree. At what point is it too much? Next year? 3 years? My guess is somewhere in between.

Is that the point you cut back hard and rebuild...or maybe take the tree in an entirely new direction?

That's the problem I have maintaining fast growing trees at this scale. It seems they have a sweet spot of only a few years before they become unbalanced. Sometimes you can let them grow "up" to get some balance back. But this tree's up seems fixed without a serious cutback and rebuild. Continuing to let it grow down doesn't seem viable either.

Anyway, thanks for your time! Much appreciated!!

Lots of good questions. For now I will try my best to maintain it in the current design concept I have set. This will entail cut backs to keep it in check by constantly replacing thicker branches with finer twigs. There may be a point where it will be necessary to restart a whole section by cutting much of it off? Very possible. Or even change the style altogether... although doubtful. I think this is the fascinating challenge that bonsai poses. We chase a constantly moving target!

 

[kale]

Reminds me of grunge rock for some reason. I mean that in a good way!