First Yamadori Bald Cypress Project Questions

[Damart81]

Hello, I have had this bald cypress yamadori for about a year and a month now. I let it do its thing for a year and now ready to start guiding it with a design. It just started pushing some buds, so I have a couple of questions. I am doing a flat top design but considering different options.

1. The BC is currently about 25 inches tall, if I don't have any apex branches near the chop should I remove most of them to see if I can get some buds to grow near the cut, since the closest ones are about 3-4 inches lower?
2. When pruning branches and using concave cutters, should I be using any cutting paste for thicker branches where the trunk has bulged a little, since it would be a deeper cut? I know BC bulge when they callus as well.
3. I should be rubbing off the new buds now since I want to minimize more branches coming out unless they're near the chop point?
4. Should I wait on doing any kind of root work since it's only been a year?
5. Anything else I should be considering?

Attached are several angles and a rough drawing of what I'm thinking of doing, thanks for your input.

 

[Cajunrider]

Hello, I have had this bald cypress yamadori for about a year and a month now. I let it do its thing for a year and now ready to start guiding it with a design. It just started pushing some buds, so I have a couple of questions. I am doing a flat top design but considering different options.

1. The BC is currently about 25 inches tall, if I don't have any apex branches near the chop should I remove most of them to see if I can get some buds to grow near the cut, since the closest ones are about 3-4 inches lower?
2. When pruning branches and using concave cutters, should I be using any cutting paste for thicker branches where the trunk has bulged a little, since it would be a deeper cut? I know BC bulge when they callus as well.
3. I should be rubbing off the new buds now since I want to minimize more branches coming out unless they're near the chop point?
4. Should I wait on doing any kind of root work since it's only been a year?
5. Anything else I should be considering?

Attached are several angles and a rough drawing of what I'm thinking of doing, thanks for your input.

1. It has been more than a year and the tree appears healthy. I think your top 3-4" has dried out. I would pick the biggest branch you have right now and train it to be your apex. Carve that top away and allow the apex branch to help heal that cut.
2. Use cut paste if you want but it is not absolutely necessary.
3. Your tree is healthy but not super healthy, I wouldn't rub off any bud for another growing season.
4. I don't see the need to do root work this year. Your base looks good with nice flute. Leave it be. You can love a tree to death.
5. Although I have a couple BCs with split branch top, I am not very fond of them. For flat top, the secondary branch on the other side of the apex is usually set a bit lower.
   

 

[Damart81]

1. It has been more than a year and the tree appears healthy. I think your top 3-4" has dried out. I would pick the biggest branch you have right now and train it to be your apex. Carve that top away and allow the apex branch to help heal that cut.
2. Use cut paste if you want but it is not absolutely necessary.
3. Your tree is healthy but not super healthy, I wouldn't rub off any bud for another growing season.
4. I don't see the need to do root work this year. Your base looks good with nice flute. Leave it be. You can love a tree to death.
5. Although I have a couple BCs with split branch top, I am not very fond of them. For flat top, the secondary branch on the other side of the apex is usually set a bit lower.

1. It has been more than a year and the tree appears healthy. I think your top 3-4" has dried out. I would pick the biggest branch you have right now and train it to be your apex. Carve that top away and allow the apex branch to help heal that cut.
   
   1. How did you determine that? I ask because I think you're right, not getting any new buds in that area.
   2. Would you recommend a dremel or a die grinder for that?
   3. For the cut should it be slanted to help heal that area?

Thanks for the advice, always appreciate your thoughts