Big Dawn Redwood Stump
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Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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Looking good, I'd let it rot naturally, unless you have a specific design in mind. If you have no plan, just let it rot naturally, let nature do the design.
So I spent a good part of the past week researching die grinders and bits and watching a lot of Graham Potter videos, thinking of designs and staring at the tree at all angles to see what can be done.
And after all that I came to the same conclusion. I'm just going to let it be for a while and see what happens naturally. There's no rush and it's taught me a bit of patience. Right now my goal is to keep the tree healthy and reduce the root mass over the next few years.
Here are some pics of the deadwood for documentation's sake
MrWunderful
Omono
Didnt realize the deadwood was so big, and the live vain was only on 1 side. That will take years to naturally rot, break out the chainsaw and carve that badboy up. At least break up the flat top cut.
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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@Rateeluck
Below is the link to my account media. Look at the photos for ideas how bald cypress dead stumps age. The danger of carving tools is they remove a lot of material very quickly. Some trees break with "square-ish" or somewhat flat end surfaces. Other species break with sharp jagged snags. I believe bald cypress tends toward the flat ends of the breaks. But look at the various examples and decide for yourself.
Again, by waiting, letting nature take it's course, you are not hurting your future design possibilities.
Once you decide how the deadwood should look, you can always carve later.
Below is the link to my account media. Look at the photos for ideas how bald cypress dead stumps age. The danger of carving tools is they remove a lot of material very quickly. Some trees break with "square-ish" or somewhat flat end surfaces. Other species break with sharp jagged snags. I believe bald cypress tends toward the flat ends of the breaks. But look at the various examples and decide for yourself.
Again, by waiting, letting nature take it's course, you are not hurting your future design possibilities.
Once you decide how the deadwood should look, you can always carve later.
Good growth this year. I have a question... How do I know where the live vein starts and stops? The bark just 'ends'. I don't see any callusing and feel as though the remaining bark would peel off. There are bug marks under the bark on the edge but I dont want to peel too much off. The edge of the bark is pretty close to the branches.
Thanks
Thanks
Answering my own question... Started gently peeling away the old bark and found the live vein. Lots of little critters behind the bark so after cleaning it up I put some Lac Balsam on to protect it
Is now a good time to wire or wait until spring?
Is now a good time to wire or wait until spring?
Crazy Diamond
Omono
Challenging tree for sure, what idea you have of styling?
jonfromchicago
Yamadori
Check out @MACH5 Eastern White Cedar Thuja deadwood Design for inspiration. The deadwood on the thuja had similar deadwood to your Dawn Redwood https://www.m5bonsaiworks.com/conifers
Crazy Diamond
Omono
Holly crap that Thuja its amazing
Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
Personally, I'd wait until spring and see what's still growing. Anyways, Happy New Years!
cheers
DSD sends
cheers
DSD sends
Crazy Diamond
Omono
Coppersdad
Mame
A huge thanks to all who have posted on this thread. I love this species and your comments and insight is just what I needed to inspire me and start my new year.
jonfromchicago
Yamadori
That looks really nice. You can at least prune and wire/design this June after the foliage hardens and you can just do the repot next year.
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