What time of year to cut/shape Bald Cypress in Southeastern part od PA? Zone 6b

[SMJ76]

Hello. Fairly new to the world of bonsai but learning detail fast.

Quick question on bald cypress is simply what time of year (I'm assuming when its in its dormancy of course) would it be best to cut and shape my bald cypress pre-bonsai trees?
I'm located in PA, in zone 6b.
Many thanks!

 

[GrimLore]

The only one's we have here(6b as well) will remain in the ground until we move. Next year we will be working on them in early Spring when they show signs of pushing and again in Fall after they go dormant. From what the Wife has been reading it seems best.

 

[SMJ76]

The only one's we have here(6b as well) will remain in the ground until we move. Next year we will be working on them in early Spring when they show signs of pushing and again in Fall after they go dormant. From what the Wife has been reading it seems best.

Well, mine are actually not in the ground but potted. I have three actually. Two large, one small.
I figured fall, or late fall to do any cutting on the one for a flat top (splitting the top) and cutting (cutting down for a jin on top) for the other.

I probably should have been more specific as to them being potted, my apologies.

 

[SMJ76]

You can see my other question that I posted over in another section of the forum regarding styling, etc. of one of the pre-bonsai bald cypress. Feel free to weigh in!

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthr...ng-Ideas-for-Bald-Cypress&p=155134#post155134

 

[johng]

Hello. Fairly new to the world of bonsai but learning detail fast.

Quick question on bald cypress is simply what time of year (I'm assuming when its in its dormancy of course) would it be best to cut and shape my bald cypress pre-bonsai trees?
I'm located in PA, in zone 6b.
Many thanks!

Early Spring is the best time once you can see green buds. I would not chop a trunk in the winter but I often prune and wire branches in the winter. I also work my BC in June and July with full defoliation...chop, prune, wire, repot....they don't miss a beat.
John

 

[jkd2572]

Yup same here. They grow like weeds.

 

[fore]

Early Spring is the best time once you can see green buds. I would not chop a trunk in the winter but I often prune and wire branches in the winter. I also work my BC in June and July with full defoliation...chop, prune, wire, repot....they don't miss a beat.
John

John, is it too late right now? Mine's too tall and I want to chop below where there's any active growth.

 

[johng]

John, is it too late right now? Mine's too tall and I want to chop below where there's any active growth.

I could probably get away with it here but I am not sure about where you are at....you would probably lose all the foliage this winter. I think I would wait if I were you...better to take advantage of the vigorous spring growth.

John

 

[SMJ76]

I could probably get away with it here but I am not sure about where you are at....you would probably lose all the foliage this winter. I think I would wait if I were you...better to take advantage of the vigorous spring growth.

John

I was wondering this same thing,... I'm looking to cut my BC down to get a candle flame appearance. (a little photo modification).... thoughts?

 

[johng]

I was wondering this same thing,... I'm looking to cut my BC down to get a candle flame appearance. (a little photo modification).... thoughts?

Same advice...be patient....I suspect you could probably have cold weather in 8 weeks from now.

John

 

[coppice]

John, is it too late right now? Mine's too tall and I want to chop below where there's any active growth.

Chop him in the spring. I've killed BC with a too late chop...

 

[fore]

I could probably get away with it here but I am not sure about where you are at....you would probably lose all the foliage this winter. I think I would wait if I were you...better to take advantage of the vigorous spring growth.

John

I'll wait, Thanks John.

 

[SMJ76]

Chop him in the spring. I've killed BC with a too late chop...

When was your "late" chop done?... do you recall? I'm just curious,...
Thanks.

 

[coppice]

Well into July in Monadnock region NH. April through May chops BC just shrugged off, an' kept on growing.

 

[SMJ76]

Gotcha!,.... I was just wondering. Just trying to feel things out.

I will admit, I did go ahead and, uhhmmm,.... chopped it, BUT didn't shape it up etc.
I just couldn't bare to see the height of the tree any longer it was driving me nuts. I didn't want to but got antsy and capped it off,...took off about 18" inches and took off both of those side shoots.
I covered the new cuts up with cut paste and of course I keep my BC in the shade due to the hot strong sun that beats down on them during most of the day otherwise. In addition I keep both pots sitting in a basin filled with water to a little below the rims of the pots so they are free to relax and drink freely.

 

[jk_lewis]

No need to worry about the sun.

 

[JudyB]

I will admit, I did go ahead and, uhhmmm,.... chopped it

Ooops. So you should try to plan for some winter protection, since you couldn't keep your hands off it, after all the advice you were given...
The new growth will be tender, as it won't have time to harden off. BC's are pretty tough, so it'd probably come back, but you'll loose whatever growth you have for the rest of the summer without some protection.

 

[coppice]

I will admit, I did go ahead and, uhhmmm,.... chopped it,

In addition I keep both pots sitting in a basin filled with water to a little below the rims of the pots so they are free to relax and drink freely.

Hm, no foliage to transpire from. Extra water to make certain that roots go anoxic. Heck why stop there. One of the rental stores must have a shredder, you could chip all that remains with an equal expectation of these trees living.

 

[GrimLore]

In our area 6b you should really protect that from wind - We lost most of our in ground cypress at around 2-3 foot last year between breakage and freezing. The potted did ok with protection. Why did you cut it in Summer

 

[SMJ76]

Ooops. So you should try to plan for some winter protection, since you couldn't keep your hands off it, after all the advice you were given...
The new growth will be tender, as it won't have time to harden off. BC's are pretty tough, so it'd probably come back, but you'll loose whatever growth you have for the rest of the summer without some protection.

I know I know...I actually dudnt see the last few comments before I had topped it off...

Not to worried about the new growth coming out before winter, though when it starts getting cold its going on our enclosed front porch. Lots of windows not much thermal value and not heated but I'm going to make sure its above freezing out there....if it gets real bad ill just take a few trees onto the enclosed back porch. Much much smaller porch but that's ok i'll manage.