pandacular
Masterpiece
do you have any posts where you explain the massaging down of branches?
Franco Columbo the BC builder
- Thread starter Cajunrider
- Start date
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Simply put the branch between you thumb and index finger then gently bend it. The first time you will feel the branch gently pop under your finger. Repeat that for a few inches. When you are done the branch will have a slight bend . Do that once a week and that branch will go from vertical to horizontal in no time.
pandacular
Masterpiece
I actually did some digging and found a few posts about this technique. thanks as always for being a source of bald cypress knowledge.
www.bonsainut.com
Species Study - Taxodium distichum
Go ahead and select the ones you want to keep, especially on the apex, as that will get away for you. Thank you. I will do that soon.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
I have thought long and hard about my situation with Franco. I am thinking in this case less is more. Franco now has a prolific flat top that can easily be ramified. However, while Franco looks very close to some of the real life flat-tops I have seen, there is not the beauty that I want to bring out. I am looking at possibly lopping off 1/4 of Franco top trunk and 2/3 of the branches to enhance the taper and attempt to make a transition from a powerful base to a graceful top. I don't yet have a final vision for this tree but I know the current look is not what I want. It's going to be a fun journey with Franco.
The current thought is to select at top branch that I like and actually bend it way down to half of the height of the trunk. The side of the trunk opposite that top branch will be heavily carved to a hollow. Tension wire will be used to collapse the hollow to create an all-around taper. On one shoulder of the hollow a branch will be developed to be the new apex with the foliage that will flow to the bent downward branch. Carving the hollow where the trunk is weakened enough to collapse yet still remain viable to grow new branches will be a delicate balancing act.
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Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Carving plan: the carving will have to be done on the side where there had been damage. I want to keep one side intact to ensure Franco survival. The chalked area will be carved away. Carving eill be shallow this year and deepened next year.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
As discussed. Half of Franco’s top is gone. Depends on what I see, there may be more. I am not happy with the apex but it is left on to promote healing. The entire apex may be cut off in the future pruned way way shorter. Carving is minimal for now. I am going to define the edge tomorrow. The rest will be done when the tree is ready for more insult.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Franco got a little wired.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
The top branches bent down into a cascade is slowly gaining my favor.
namnhi
Masterpiece
Uncle, Looks like a bonsai tree now. Very nice!
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Thank you!
Here is my inspiration tree. Looks familiar? @MACH5
I think I can make Franco resemble this tree a little bit. Franco does have the trunk and the cascading branches. I need to work on the apex and the ramification. I think it is doable.
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namnhi
Masterpiece
That's a great inspiration tree for sure. I think you will do great with Franco.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Franco is pushing buds
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
ChefB
Mame
I want that!
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
I left the branches long and gangly, allowing maximum foliage for recovery. The tree will be rewired and trimmed after leaf drop.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
I tried to fit this in an REB18 Mica pot from Wigert and it wouldn't fit. The length is good, but the width is clearly not enough. It appears this tree will need a round pot like the Wigert ROA19.
