_thinkaboutit
Sapling
I’m in Central Florida, Zone 9a. Is it too late to defoliate a Bald Cypress? How about a Trident Maple? They are both generally healthy trees.
Defoliate bald cypress? Maple?
- Thread starter _thinkaboutit
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potatofarmer
Mame
i want to know if it actually makes the leaves permanently smaller.
_thinkaboutit
Sapling
probably not permanently, but they defintely grow back smaller after a defol. My main reason is just enhance the look of the tree for the next couple months as the current growth has been on since Spring.
Stormwater
Shohin
I've not seen much reduction in BC up hear in zone 7.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
I know they talk of defoliating BC in the Facebook BC group. But I would think it's to late. As...one was advised not long ago to NOT hard prune. Because now...the tree needs that to store energy for winter. And wake strong in spring.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
For me, I see defoliating BC is really not necessary. BC leaves are inherently small, defoliating to get smaller leaves gives us nothing. BC leaves in late summer, while they change their color a bit, can still collect energy just fine. In zone colder than zone 9, now is too late to prune. For zone 9 and warmer, it depends on the health of the trees. In very healthy trees, I may hard prune and try to get one more level of ramification or to greatly reduce the growth up top and encourage the growth in lower branches. However, in normal cases, I leave the trees alone until spring.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Well... I won't discredit Randy Bennett and his guidance on it. He is very well respected of his guidance and knowledge of the species. I would imagine... @johng may be more apt to explain it. As he seems to be strong on that group.
That said...we all open our own can of worms how we see fit. Do what works for you.
That said...we all open our own can of worms how we see fit. Do what works for you.
_thinkaboutit
Sapling
I appreciate all the advice.
I think I’ll leave it. It needs a repot in February anyway.
I think I’ll leave it. It needs a repot in February anyway.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
I think Randy, John, Bill, and Jim Osborn and other BC bonsai artists offer very good advice in that FB group. I always value their inputs.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
I know... Randy feels I should be pinching growth on mine. Verses defoliating. I've never defoliated it...as I didn't know ones did that...years back. But I'm past that point with my wee bald cypress.
I'll say this. As long as I've done bonsai. I have took in some amazing advice on the species in that group. Mind blowing the knowledge found there.
I also love that ones style their trees...so many collect and never do anything with the trunks. To make them more.
A friend of mine added a Beast. I'm forever nagging him...to throw wire on it. The base is amazing on the one he has. Don't waste it.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
I now have enough really good trunks to do many things. I am just beginning my journey in bald cypress bonsai. Just wait and see, like all things in my life, I have my ways to improve beyond the norms
_thinkaboutit
Sapling
What group is that? I have avoided Facebook for the last 20 years
but I'm interested in that group. Thanks!
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
To wet your tastebuds... a sample of documents to be found on the species. There are far more. 
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horibonsai
Sapling
Defoliation depends on the tree's health and strength. Are you fully defoliating the tree or partially defoliating it? It's common for trident or bald cypress to recover in three weeks. When is your winter dormancy, and the leaves fall on the tree? I'm thinking if it's a couple of months, let the tree leaves fall, then wire or do what you need to it. This is less stress on the trees.
Where I am in SC it is most likely too late to defoliate a cypress...central FLA might be different...you should ask folks in your region for better advice. As I read your reason for wanting to defoliate, it is to have better looking foliage. I don't defoliate for that reason. I defoliate to give me easier access to branches so that I can wire train trees during the summer. I typically don't defoliate trees in refinement. the exception to that would be if I was planning to show a tree I might consider defoliation about 6-8 weeks prior to the show.
Defoliation is often misused in my experience...it is a taxing technique for the tree and should never be applied to weak trees. If your trees have suffered from lack of water over the course of the growing season and leaves have become "burnt up" I would not defoliate...they are already struggling....protect them, keep them watered appropriately and wait until next season.
Defoliation is often misused in my experience...it is a taxing technique for the tree and should never be applied to weak trees. If your trees have suffered from lack of water over the course of the growing season and leaves have become "burnt up" I would not defoliate...they are already struggling....protect them, keep them watered appropriately and wait until next season.
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