Bald cypress development help

[ScoobyDip]

I picked up a bald cypress at the garden center today, I have a couple seedlings from last year but this is multiple times the size. I’m very inexperienced in all aspects of bonsai but want to learn, I was hoping someone could help point me in the direction of resources on how to progress this into a large sized bonsai, I’m in east TN in zone 7a/7b. I know that it will take multiple growing seasons but need somewhere to start lol. Thank you in advance to anyone who responds!

 

[19Mateo83]

Personally, I enjoy the flat top style. With a straight trunk like that it’s a no brainer. This is what I would do, flush cut the first two branches marked in red, which looks like it will give some taper and also flush cut the center of the top. Do not cut the other two in blue yet. Wire the left one down a bit and the right one up a bit. Juice it with fertilizer and keep it in a water dish to fuel growth to start closing the two big cuts. If you get the growth you want this year, lop the two remaining leaders next year and use those as the base for building out that flat top. That’s just me though. There are a few others here that have an eye for cypress. @Cajunrider , @BillsBayou , @Maiden69 are just a few that come to mind.

 

[19Mateo83]

Here’s a nursery one I chopped and set the structure on in preparation for the flat top style.

And a tiny one I’m working on

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Here’s a nursery one I chopped and set the structure on in preparation for the flat top style.
View attachment 542227
And a tiny one I’m working on
View attachment 542228

Tiny looks awesome

 

[awarrenj]

A great source of info on BC is the Bald Cypress forum on Facebook. It contains files that provide a lot of outstanding info as well as a lot of posts from BC specialists.

 

[Cajunrider]

For the top I totally agree with what has been said but I think we need to start on the roots first. For zone 7 it is early enough in the season to do it.
1. Pull the tree out of the nursery pot. Sort out the roots and prune them until you have a relatively flat root ball that is about 2.5 to 3” high and about 10-12” in diameter.
2. Plant it in an oil pan using potting soil with just 1” of soil in the bottom. Put a few small holes in the pan and use copper or aluminum wire through those holes to hold the tree down securely.
3. Put enough soil on top to cover the roots completely. Use a chopstick to push the soil into all the void of the root ball.
4. Put the tree in shade and water it well every day for 3 weeks until the tree recover. Then gradually bring the tree to more sunlight.

This will set the foundation for your BC to become a bonsai. Next year do everything said in previous posts to create the top. Once you have the nebari and root flare developed you can see a full picture of what you need to do at the too.

 

[Cajunrider]

For the top I totally agree with what has been said but I think we need to start on the roots first. For zone 7 it is early enough in the season to do it.
1. Pull the tree out of the nursery pot. Sort out the roots and prune them until you have a relatively flat root ball that is about 2.5 to 3” high and about 10-12” in diameter.
2. Plant it in an oil pan using potting soil with just 1” of soil in the bottom. Put a few small holes in the pan and use copper or aluminum wire through those holes to hold the tree down securely.
3. Put enough soil on top to cover the roots completely. Use a chopstick to push the soil into all the void of the root ball.
4. Put the tree in shade and water it well every day for 3 weeks until the tree recover. Then gradually bring the tree to more sunlight.

This will set the foundation for your BC to become a bonsai. Next year do everything said in previous posts to create the top. Once you have the nebari and root flare developed you can see a full picture of what you need to do at the too.

The main reason for my proposal to do the roots first came from my experience with helping some friends with BC bonsai. They had the top severely reduced and looked pretty good. However, when they tried to reduce the roots, there was not enough growth from the top to fuel healthy root development and the trees suffered greatly. Do the roots now and let the tree grow unhindered. Once the root ball is established, the tree is healthy enough to take on any drastic change on the top.

 

[Cajunrider]

A great source of info on BC is the Bald Cypress forum on Facebook. It contains files that provide a lot of outstanding info as well as a lot of posts from BC specialists.

I am a member of both. Members of this forum are well aware of the FB group and what it contains.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I learned a lot by reading this thread. Get ready to learn.

 

[BrightsideB]

Love ‘em! They both have nice character.

 

[Dabbler]

Don't have any pictures but here's mine when I repotted it - maybe can give you a couple hints

 

[Cajunrider]

Don't have any pictures but here's mine when I repotted it - maybe can give you a couple hints

I really like your video. I need to start taking videos of my escapades.

 

[Dabbler]

I really like your video. I need to start taking videos of my escapades.

Thanks - I've gone more the comedic route now a days as Everyone does the overly dramatic video like this one, so I changed it up a bit lol