Wulfskaar
Omono
The foliage is going nuts with growth. Compared to when I got it just over a year ago, it's got a ton of new growth.
Wulfskaar's Bald Cypress
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Wulfskaar
Omono
Thanks! I wasn't really going for Literati specifically, but yeah, it will be a slender, tall-looking tree.
I'm going for the flat-top style. If, later, I think it's too tall and skinny, I can always chop it. But for now, I like the idea of it appearing tall.
pandacular
Masterpiece
I think tall slender trees that aren’t quite literati are an underrated niche, and doubly so for bald cypress. To paraphrase something they said on the latest Bonsai Wire podcast, you so often see impressive trunks and uninteresting branches on this species, to the point where a big fat trunk is maybe not all that interesting.
(…spoken as someone who got a big fat trunked one
)
Wulfskaar
Omono
Agreed! Mine won't be winning any awards and it lacks the wide base that so many BC have. But I've got a vision for it that I like.I think tall slender trees that aren’t quite literati are an underrated niche, and doubly so for bald cypress. To paraphrase something they said on the latest Bonsai Wire podcast, you so often see impressive trunks and uninteresting branches on this species, to the point where a big fat trunk is maybe not all that interesting.
(…spoken as someone who got a big fat trunked one
Wulfskaar
Omono
Here it is now. I've let it grow out without any pruning whatsoever. After it loses it's leaves, I'll remove all but the wired branches as I begin to develop those. It will be repotted into a larger pot in spring.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Yours will grow the wide base with time even if the trunk is held to its current size.
Wulfskaar
Omono
This is what I hope for! I saw that you suggested to someone else that they put theirs in a larger tub. I purchased mine in 2023 already in the bonsai pot, so I figure I'll put in in a less restrictive grow box in spring.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
If you ever look closely at the progression of the famous BC from Mr. Vaughn Banting, you will see that its base continues to grow over the years.
pandacular
Masterpiece
The same can be seen on the Banting bald cypress at the Pacific Bonsai Museum, though it’s somewhat minor. (no progression photos below sadly)
Wulfskaar
Omono
Link appears to be broken.
pandacular
Masterpiece
That’s weird, because it seems to work if you navigate to it, but the direct URL isn’t working.
Go here, click “start exploring” then search bald cypress.
pacificbonsaimuseum.org
I’m gonna go try to debug this bug!
Go here, click “start exploring” then search bald cypress.
The Collection | Pacific Bonsai Museum
pacificbonsaimuseum.org
I’m gonna go try to debug this bug!
Wulfskaar
Omono
Yes! I have many pictures of this tree in a folder called "BC goals". 
It's actually one of the main inspirations for what I am seeking.
That trunk has a nice bow to it with branches counter-balancing it.
My trunk is straight as an arrow. I figure I need to make up for that with interesting branches and foliage pads, kind of like on the example below. I'm on the first year of branch development.
It's actually one of the main inspirations for what I am seeking.That trunk has a nice bow to it with branches counter-balancing it.
My trunk is straight as an arrow. I figure I need to make up for that with interesting branches and foliage pads, kind of like on the example below. I'm on the first year of branch development.
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Wulfskaar
Omono
Fall colors! Looking forward to cleaning up the unwanted branches and continuing to develop the ones I want to keep. It will also need a repot in spring into a grow box.
Love the path you are on with this. My favorite is a Mirai tree:Yes! I have many pictures of this tree in a folder called "BC goals".
That trunk has a nice bow to it with branches counter-balancing it.
My trunk is straight as an arrow. I figure I need to make up for that with interesting branches and foliage pads, kind of like on the example below. I'm on the first year of branch development.
Wulfskaar
Omono
Yes! That's the look I'm ultimately going for.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Unless you are willing to split the base of your tree, it will take decades to get your tree to have that flare at the base.
My comment is based on the many BC bonsai I have seen that were developed in pots early. They do get that base flare but it takes a long time. I have seen many examples of successful base splits that look good. My experience has been positive.
Wulfskaar
Omono
Thanks Cjr. I always check your BC threads whenever I see them, so I see the things you're doing with BC. I have been very intrigued with your trunk splitting technique and may do that one day.
I'm not quite brave enough to split the base just yet. I'm ok with a slightly more feminine design than the goal pictures. It's my only BC, so I'm proving to myself that I can keep it alive in my climate. I haven't even repotted it since I got it in summer 2023.
The base isn't great and the roots coming out are awkwardly coming out and then pointing straight down. I think the previous owner tried to put it into a pot that's too small, as you see in the pictures, and I should have repotted it this previous spring. I plan to put it in a small grow box in spring 2025. The base has a long way to go.
I'm still unsure if I want to fill it with lead.
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