My Bald Cypress Flat Top project
- Thread starter Dav4
- Start date
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
That is not a Bald Cypress, It is a Montezuma cypress (Taxodium mucronatum) and lives in a completely different environment than BC. It is at Santa María del Tule in the Mexican state of Oaxaca--inland Mexican Desert...Not typical BC territory or growth pattern.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
And if you look closely at the canopy,it is a flat top of sorts, just a very squat one.
https://www.tentree.com/blog/worlds-most-fascinating-trees/
https://www.tentree.com/blog/worlds-most-fascinating-trees/
Txhorticulture
Chumono
I know exactly what and where it is. Some taxonomists consider it the same. In any event has lots of branches not shaded out by higher branches, and at least 1500 years of age.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
A few pics...
Young flat-tops... You often see these growing within a deciduous forest
These represent mature flat-tops
Lastly my favorite category...damaged and ancient
Awesome pics John! I really like the 2 above. Great inspiration.
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
Cool tree but the form would not be pleasing as bonsai.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
@johng thanks for those pics, those are awesome
So those of you more familiar with these:
The ones I am seeing are 9 to 10 feet tall and have a 5-6 inch base (might be wider but I am going from memory) going to about 4 inch above the flare.
Are these worth trying to do something with and would spring be the best time to chop?
I really love the pic of the "damaged and ancient" one and would love to aim for something like that.
So those of you more familiar with these:
The ones I am seeing are 9 to 10 feet tall and have a 5-6 inch base (might be wider but I am going from memory) going to about 4 inch above the flare.
Are these worth trying to do something with and would spring be the best time to chop?
I really love the pic of the "damaged and ancient" one and would love to aim for something like that.
Last edited:
Txhorticulture
Chumono
I think these are the nicest trees in your pictures and they have lower branches. I disagree with your interpretation that the natural end of the species are the bare sparsely branched trees.
If you want to get existential Aristotle said the nature of a thing is in its end or goal even of that end is uncommon.
If you want to get existential Aristotle said the nature of a thing is in its end or goal even of that end is uncommon.
Attachments
Txhorticulture
Chumono
And I doubt a core sample would prove any of them are ancient
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
- Messages
- 13,480
- Reaction score
- 32,157
- USDA Zone
- 6a
quietobserver
Omono
Stupid is as stupid does.....
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Would you guys try this on a nursery tree or is yamdori the only way to go?
LanceMac10
Imperial Masterpiece
Actually there is a nursery outside of town here with several BCs in containers at least 15 feet tall with ok bases for something like 350 to 500 bucks. Not financially responsible when you take the chainsaw out and leave yourself with a three foot stump!! I don't know what they do with them in the winter.
ColinFraser
Masterpiece
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
- Messages
- 13,480
- Reaction score
- 32,157
- USDA Zone
- 6a
A straight trunk with minimal taper or movement won't make the best material. Good taper with a flaring base is the best, imo. Having some movement in the trunk is helpful if you don't have taper or flare, but most landscape nursery trees are going to be bean pole straight.
DougB
Chumono
WOW Lance that is a lot of money. Take a look at these folks for bald cypress. (web site). They have been responsive and provided exactly as represented.
And regarding JohnG pictures. I am an hour from the NC coast and these are typical in my area as well as the coast. And this style, flat top, at about 2 to 2.5 feet in an appropriate round pot are award winners. Even when shown with more traditional Japanese styled bonsai tree. Great Stuff and no one has a better handle on BC than JohnG.
And regarding JohnG pictures. I am an hour from the NC coast and these are typical in my area as well as the coast. And this style, flat top, at about 2 to 2.5 feet in an appropriate round pot are award winners. Even when shown with more traditional Japanese styled bonsai tree. Great Stuff and no one has a better handle on BC than JohnG.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
I don't know about that. I think even John would admit Guy Guidry knows a thing or two as well.
LanceMac10
Imperial Masterpiece
Oh no, I'm not buying em. Truthfully, the quality of these trees at the nursery here is just a tad less than what Dave's shown. Pretty impressive basal flair and I wouldn't worry too much about BC roots. From all I have seen, you could probably cut all the roots off and with attentive after care, they probably wouldn't miss a beat!!! Alas, I have no desire to find a place to locate a big ol' grow box in the yard, there's no more room!!!
Similar threads
