Bald Cypress - getting ramification where you want it?

[keegan]

I’m relatively new to Bald Cypress, and have some trees that I’m starting to work on branch structure with (I'm creating the branches all from scratch). Last year I let branches grow out, wired them down and trimmed them short in the winter.

I’m trying to keep the branches fairly tight in to the trunk, to keep the illusion of height in the overall tree.

The first flush of growth is getting big. I don’t have any buds where I want the next push to originate. The red arrows mark where the new nodes are, the green is where I want them.

What are the best methods to get ramification where you want it with Bald Cypress? Here are some of my thoughts, but if there are other things I’m not thinking of, I’m all ears! Please chime in on these ideas or add others if you have them.

1. Can I just cut the new growth off right where I want the next growth to originate from (green arrows), and I’ll get the next push coming from the end of those twigs?
2. I know that if you build up the vigor in the branch and you’ll get more back budding. By that theory, maybe I should keep the branches long, but nip the tips to stimulate back budding? But maybe Bald Cypress back bud so well that I wouldn’t have to do this?
3. Should I trim these shoots hard or let them keep going - I’m not looking for more thickness in the branches, so I wouldn’t let them run for that reason.

Thanks in advance!
keegan

 

[Dav4]

Once you've established your primary branches, developing ramification is actually pretty easy. Here in N GA, bald cypress start to grow well in April and the new growth will be lignified by mid May. That's the time to cut back and cut back hard. I'll cut back, leaving about 2-3 inches of the branch. Within a few weeks, new buds start popping. Let them grow out and repeat the process. I can do this at least 3 times in a typical year.

 

[keegan]

Thanks @Dav4. So by that theory I should just snip these ends at the green arrows? Stands to reason I suppose.

 

[Dav4]

Thanks @Dav4. So by that theory I should just snip these ends at the green arrows? Stands to reason I suppose.

Exactly

 

[keegan]

Ancillary question - If I'm growing all the branches at once, is there a good method to thickening the lower branches while keeping the top ones thin? I assume just keep the top ultra-trimmed while letting the bottom extend a bit more?

I have a Montezuma Cypress that I have the same question about.