Guy Guidry's "Twister"......How?

[Joe Dupre']

I've looked and looked online and I can't find a description of his procedure anywhere. He accomplished a LOT of taper in that tree, and I can't figure out how he did it. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of the procedure. Please refrain from "guessing. I've done enough guessing on my own, thankyouverymuch. Ha!

 

[Dav4]

I do know the tree was approximately 40' tall at the time of the collection.... there may have been a large "chop" involved.....

 

[bonsaibp]

I believe it was naturally twisted when collected.

 

[just.wing.it]

How about a picture of said twister tree...?.....for us uncultured peasants....

 

[peterbone]

My guess is that bald cypress naturally have a lot of trunk flair, which make up most of the tree. They grow tall and in water, so they need a strong wide base. He most likely chopped it diagonally to give even more taper.

 

[just.wing.it]

Wow....
Well I must say that this picture reminds me of the lying fisherman who holds the tiny fish close to the camera while standing back as far as possible, to make the fish look huge!
Haha!

Damn though....that's a beast right there....
And a beauty too.

Looks like natural twisting to me.

 

[just.wing.it]

And thank you Pete!

Is that Bald Cypress?

 

[Zach Smith]

The tree naturally twists. While I'm unfamiliar with the process Guy used in developing that tree, I was around when he was working on the specimen that ended up at the National Arboretum. He did an angled chop of the trunk on that specimen to enhance the taper. At the time it was a pretty radical technique. It's possible to find specimens with great taper in the wild, in certain environments. Those are easiest to work with.

"Twister" is a pretty unique Bald cypress, any way you slice it. Hugely impressive.

 

[William N. Valavanis]

The tree naturally twists. While I'm unfamiliar with the process Guy used in developing that tree, I was around when he was working on the specimen that ended up at the National Arboretum. He did an angled chop of the trunk on that specimen to enhance the taper. At the time it was a pretty radical technique. It's possible to find specimens with great taper in the wild, in certain environments. Those are easiest to work with.

"Twister" is a pretty unique Bald cypress, any way you slice it. Hugely impressive.

 

[William N. Valavanis]

Guy displayed “Twister” at the 2008 1st US National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, New York. Later I featured “Twister” on the cover of my magazine International BONSAI. In that issue we had the complete history and developmental photos of how Guy created his materpiece bonsai.

 

[KeithE]

As mentioned, it was a natural twisting tree. You are only seeing the 'front' which gives the illusion that there are live veins circling the tree. Instead of trying to heal over the chop, it was carved down and around. You are in South LA, just go ask him in person.
Edit: or grab a copy of the IB issue.

 

[Joe Dupre']

I think I have a good idea on how he did it, now. Yes, I think it was imperative that he started with a twisted trunk. I can see how he cut away big sections of the trunk and fooled the eye by growing branches in strategic locations. Seeing it and doing it are two totally different things, though! I may be on the look-out for a similar shaped tree (albeit, much smaller) this spring. W. Valavanis, can I buy that copy of the old IB magazine anywhere?

 

[Zach Smith]

You are in South LA, just go ask him in person.

Thanks for the advice

 

[KeithE]

Thanks for the advice

I was speaking to the original poster, as he is the one seeking answers. Guy is not difficult to reach.

 

[Zach Smith]

I was speaking to the original poster, as he is the one seeking answers. Guy is not difficult to reach.

Sorry, thought you meant me.

 

[KeithE]

Sorry, thought you meant me.

No worries! Glad to see South Louisiana with a strong presence in the bonsai world. My roots are in New Orleans.