Just bought a huge bald cypress!!! Cpl Q’s

[Zach Smith]

I probably should have flattened it out last spring after i angle cut it to a new leader. That would have created a stump though so oh well.
Thanks again for the advise and I’ll be looking for the bc development guide

I sent the guide last evening to the email address you gave me in a PM some time ago. If you didn't get it, please PM me your current email address.

 

[rollwithak]

Well the cut mark is taller than 12” so I’d imagine it’s going to be pretty tall when finished. I just hope I didn’t kill the tree which is why Im worried about messing with the roots also.

A bald cypress can grow pretty quick in a large container, but I’m in no hurry. And unless I’m creating a bunjin style, I like to see taper and that trunk was just way to straight for me. So as long as the tree survives my torture I’ll be happy!

Bro, here’s what’s important. You bought it for practically nothing, you’re learning and you’re having fun. You’ll be just fine with the cut you did! Enjoy the process and don’t forget the love that goes into all of this!! Keep us posted on updates!

 

[Daniel son STL]

I sent the guide last evening to the email address you gave me in a PM some time ago. If you didn't get it, please PM me your current email address.

Got it thanks a shit ton!

 

[Daniel son STL]

Bro, here’s what’s important. You bought it for practically nothing, you’re learning and you’re having fun. You’ll be just fine with the cut you did! Enjoy the process and don’t forget the love that goes into all of this!! Keep us posted on updates!

Very true!

At the moment it’s doing fine but I just can’t stand reverse taper. And I still am confused on how to prevent it. I’ll just do the best I can from what I’ve gained.

Also going to check out zacks bc development guide

 

[Daniel son STL]

Uh, no. With Bsld Cypress, you want to keep the flairing, buttress roots. It’s the ones underneath, going straight down, that you want to eliminate.

So your saying keep the top roots (circled in red) and loose everything underneath?

 

[Adair M]

View attachment 287493
So your saying keep the top roots (circled in red) and loose everything underneath?

Yes. The roots under the buttressing roots growing straight down don’t give you any real benefit. It’s the outside radial roots that give you the nice wide flair. Heavy downward roots just take up space in the pot that would provide a better benefit for the tree if that space was filled with feeder roots. In nature, trees need those big tap roots to secure themselves to the ground. In a bonsai pot, they dont because we tie them into the pot with wire.

 

[Daniel son STL]

So I’m going to repot her tonight. Cut off 90% of the roots and then throw it in to a round tub. I’m still going to stack the small amount of roots over 8 inches or so of medium to still give the roots room to grow seeing how Ill be in development for quit some time still

 

[Daniel son STL]

Well guys here’s a two year later update.
She’s growing strong. New leader is thickening, probably next year I’ll chop it again.

this shot just to show the new leader


this is possibly the route I’ll take although the blue line might be a little too long. Any thoughts?


And this last image is to show a cpl possible first branches. I feel I should start selecting a few branches now in case I can’t get backbuds where I want them in the future…

 

[Cajunrider]

Well guys here’s a two year later update.
She’s growing strong. New leader is thickening, probably next year I’ll chop it again.

this shot just to show the new leader
View attachment 429693

this is possibly the route I’ll take although the blue line might be a little too long. Any thoughts?
View attachment 429695

And this last image is to show a cpl possible first branches. I feel I should start selecting a few branches now in case I can’t get backbuds where I want them in the future…
View attachment 429694

Looking good. The chops are healing nicely. You are right. The blue line is a little long to me.

 

[Daniel son STL]

Looking good. The chops are healing nicely. You are right. The blue line is a little long to me.

Thanks!
I can shorten the blue line and let it back bud when the time comes, or possibly extend the yellow line and use a different new leader. Still up in the air. Hopefully will become more clear next year when it’s closer to making the chop.

 

[Joe Dupre']

You've done the hard, long-term stuff well already. The apex is easier and faster to do. I've found, the last foot or so of the apex can be done in one good growing season.

 

[Daniel son STL]

Thanks
Hopefully I’ll be working on the apex in the next year or two!

 

[Daniel son STL]

Another 2 year update;
Had a little trouble with my watering system in late June 2022 when I was out of town for 9 days and when I returned the damage was done. Right off the bat there were like 3 dead trees, over the next cpl weeks a cpl shohin junipers died as well (they were already dead but showing little signs at first). Anyways one of the trees I thought had died was this particular cypress!

I went back to caring for it and a cpl sad weeks later it showed signs of life. 60-70% of the tree died and this dramatically slowed the girthing of the second portion of the trunk but, was very thrilled it wasn’t dead.





2023 I just let it grow.

Now it’s 2024 and think I’m going to need another year or so before I make the second chop.




In the 3rd pic you can see the reverse taper from the lump where my next pre-chosen leader died. So I’m thinking about using the branch pointing up just to the right and below the bulge as the new leader when the time comes.

 

[Daniel son STL]

Here’s another pic showing the next leader that died in blue and the one I might go with instead in yellow.


Does anybody think the length of the next leader in yellow is too close to the original chop and would choose a different spot further up the trunk for the second chop and… leave the bulge? Or do you think the yellow leader can work and cancel out the bulge?

 

[Daniel son STL]

Another angle of the next leader possibilities…