Spring bald Cypress trunk chop/report/light pruning/root work.

[steves6684]

As you can see from my previous posts in this forum last September, I had picked up two severely distressed bald cypresses from a local nursery for a song. Thanks to all who gave me such excellent advice on how to revitalize them! ( Place them in morning sun, and leave them alone thru the winter!).

Now, Spring is nearly here and I am once again asking advice from BC Wizards...

Left to my own devices, I would trunk chop each of the two at about 2', repot, do some fairly heavy root work, and lightly prune to establish a new leader, etc. in the next month or so. However..I am a bit concerned about that much work being done at once..ie: will it harm the tree? Slow down future development? For info I am east of Atlanta in zone 8a. Appreciate greatly any advice.

 

[johng]

If these were as you describe "severely distressed" last summer then they have not had the opportunity to rebuild their strength yet. It will take at least a season of untouched growth to be strong again...maybe two. One thing for sure is that you can't make bonsai from less than fully vigorous material...efforts to do so will only continue to slow the process. Let them grow and get strong. Sometimes cheap isn't your friend...

 

[steves6684]

If these were as you describe "severely distressed" last summer then they have not had the opportunity to rebuild their strength yet. It will take at least a season of untouched growth to be strong again...maybe two. One thing for sure is that you can't make bonsai from less than fully vigorous material...efforts to do so will only continue to slow the process. Let them grow and get strong. Sometimes cheap isn't your friend...

Thank you for the advice and your time/wisdom..

 

[steves6684]

Thank you for the advice and your time/wisdom..

Hi John! One additional specific question. The roots in the nursery grow containers are 'circling' significantly. Hard to see in the pics I attached..

If I don't prune and don't chop, should I transplant into better soil and leave them alone from there or go ahead and do light root work just to remove the circling outside roots and leave alone from there? Or..not touch them (even to put them in better soil) and just wait till next year to see how they are doing then?

Sorry for what is likely a silly question. I'm a novice and have little experience..none of it with bald cypress. (Except for a small bc forest I have been working on/with).

Thanks for your patience.

 

[johng]

Hi John! One additional specific question. The roots in the nursery grow containers are 'circling' significantly. Hard to see in the pics I attached..

If I don't prune and don't chop, should I transplant into better soil and leave them alone from there or go ahead and do light root work just to remove the circling outside roots and leave alone from there? Or..not touch them (even to put them in better soil) and just wait till next year to see how they are doing then?

Sorry for what is likely a silly question. I'm a novice and have little experience..none of it with bald cypress. (Except for a small bc forest I have been working on/with).

Thanks for your patience.

I wouldn't do anything until the trees have had time to grow vigorously and restore their energy. In most cases repotting a weakened tree is a mistake.

 

[steves6684]

Got it . Thanks for your sage wisdom..