MTM Bald Cypress progression thread

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Has it been long enough?

I nicked it in early May and CR said every 3 months, so I believe so. I was told there would be no math. the non scar side has been problematic since I carved it. Need to make some design decisions, but the plans can certainly wait.

 

[snowman04]

Just looks like a large surface area to heal...

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Just looks like a large surface area to heal...

Yeah it's a decent size for sure. The other side is healing fast in my opinion even with MI shortened growing season. If I can't get a good scar to heal over I'll look into deadwood options. Lemons into lemonade with ice and vodka.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Took the tape off today, and that worked like a charm. Thanks @Cajunrider I've just been letting this grow this year, but today I did some light pruning. Needless to say I have some design decisions to make with crafting the flat top branches. The branch I had taped has some zig movement, just needs some zag.

Looks like I have rust mites so I sprayed it down with Spinosad soap. Whole thing is going to turn orange by November.

New branches grow fast and up. Wire scars are almost gone.


Here's the branch I had taped. I should prune off the one below it.


Another angle



At some point (Spring). I'm planning on pruning this lower branch off.


As always critiques and advice are welcome.

 

[SFDrake]

Took the tape off today, and that worked like a charm. Thanks @Cajunrider I've just been letting this grow this year, but today I did some light pruning. Needless to say I have some design decisions to make with crafting the flat top branches. The branch I had taped has some zig movement, just needs some zag.

Looks like I have rust mites so I sprayed it down with Spinosad soap. Whole thing is going to turn orange by November.

New branches grow fast and up. Wire scars are almost gone.
View attachment 612715

Here's the branch I had taped. I should prune off the one below it.
View attachment 612716

Another angle

View attachment 612717

At some point (Spring). I'm planning on pruning this lower branch off.
View attachment 612721

As always critiques and advice are welcome.

I love the bark on this one!

 

[Attmos]

I think, if it were mine, I'd get rid of the small side of the space you created. Give it the full-on damaged look.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I love the bark on this one!

Thanks! It looks really cool in person. All the different shades of brown, grey, and reddish brown bark, the old bark shedding off and revealing the deep red/brown trunk. BC is a really interesting species

I think, if it were mine, I'd get rid of the small side of the space you created. Give it the full-on damaged look.

Yeah I'm still contemplating that design decision. I want it to look like high wind damage, but I'm not sure what I want the break look like. I was thinking of something like this, but maybe more is better. And I want it to look natural and realistic.


https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/mtm-bald-cypress-progression-thread.65469/post-1186049

 

[BonsaiPoppie]

I nicked the scar again, and I'm still having issues with one side healing over. There's not much live wood to nick on one side, and I'm not seeing a lot of 'green' when nicking the scar.

So, I need to figure out a way to get it to scar over or look into deadwood designs.

Any suggestions?

View attachment 608951
View attachment 608952

Wire scars are healing fast.

I did that to mine, but zip tied the V together . Very nice what you have done.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

I nicked the scar again, and I'm still having issues with one side healing over. There's not much live wood to nick on one side, and I'm not seeing a lot of 'green' when nicking the scar.

So, I need to figure out a way to get it to scar over or look into deadwood designs.

Any suggestions?

View attachment 608951
View attachment 608952

Wire scars are healing fast.

I don’t see much if any green growth above the problem side which probably explains why you’re not getting much healing. As others suggested go radical and create deadwood down that side. These are from @johng recent video.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I did that to mine, but zip tied the V together . Very nice what you have done.

What did that end up looking like?

I don’t see much if any green growth above the problem side which probably explains why you’re not getting much healing. As others suggested go radical and create deadwood down that side. These are from @johng recent video.

Yeah that's what I'll do, I just need a vision. The BC in the second picture is fantastic, and looks like lightning hit it.

 

[snowman04]

What did that end up looking like?


Yeah that's what I'll do, I just need a vision. The BC in the second picture is fantastic, and looks like lightning hit it.

Looks like it torched it...

 

[BonsaiPoppie]

What did that end up looking like?


Yeah that's what I'll do, I just need a vision. The BC in the second picture is fantastic, and looks like lightning hit it.

I will have to get a picture out to you.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I took the moss off because it started growing on the trunk. I also don't have it sitting in water, since the temperatures have cooled off. Now to wait for the Orange fall color before the long winter nap.