Need styling ideas for Swamp Cypress

[stroven]

I got given this tree when it was very small and unhealthy. Over one year of care and fertiliser it grew super tall! It also has great roots thanks to using orchard pots. Overall it is still too small and I aim to leave it growing for many more years, increasing the size of the grow container each year (ground is not an option).
I want to do some initial styling while its young and bendy. I am just not sure which direction to take. It has some movement and more could be added quite easily with some wire / pruning. It has 3 competing trunks (one is very low down from me wiring it a year ago for no particular reason.
I was toying with the idea of chopping the thickest trunk and wiring movement into the middle trunk so that one day it is somewhat of an informal upright style. I also hear of a "flat top style" being appealing with this species, probably another option. Overall I just am not feeling very creative with this tree and looking for some ideas!

 

[rockm]

I got given this tree when it was very small and unhealthy. Over one year of care and fertiliser it grew super tall! It also has great roots thanks to using orchard pots. Overall it is still too small and I aim to leave it growing for many more years, increasing the size of the grow container each year (ground is not an option).
I want to do some initial styling while its young and bendy. I am just not sure which direction to take. It has some movement and more could be added quite easily with some wire / pruning. It has 3 competing trunks (one is very low down from me wiring it a year ago for no particular reason.
I was toying with the idea of chopping the thickest trunk and wiring movement into the middle trunk so that one day it is somewhat of an informal upright style. I also hear of a "flat top style" being appealing with this species, probably another option. Overall I just am not feeling very creative with this tree and looking for some ideas!

Bald Cypress tend to have their own natural style because of the way they grow, extremely apically dominant. Their tops grow FAST (as you have seen),while lower lateral branching can be slow. That means they can confound set styles such as informal upright. Not saying you can't do it, but you will be fighting it's natural growth habits.

In nature, BC grow very fast UP, get their tops into the sun. They throw lower branching, but that growth tends to grow (mostly) straight upwards also. It resists the tiered look that most bonsai conifers are styled with. Lateral or even drooping lower branching on conifers infers the tree supports snow loads in winter--there ain't no snow for the most part in the swamps and coastal plains where the species is native. At least not enough to push branching downwards. As a BC ages, it drops most, or all of the lower branches in favor of its canopy--which results in the "flattop" form.

I'd let it be with no wiring, chops etc. for a few more years.

Also your location is important in providing much advice on how to proceed.

 

[stroven]

Thank you! Very sound advice! Location is North Coast of NSW Australia, fairly warm and Sunny year round. The informal upright idea was inspired by this video from the UK, but I understand that its not the 'norm' for such a species as a bonsai.

 

[Cajunrider]

Thank you! Very sound advice! Location is North Coast of NSW Australia, fairly warm and Sunny year round. The informal upright idea was inspired by this video from the UK, but I understand that its not the 'norm' for such a species as a bonsai.

Since you are prepared for spending years to grow this, the informal upright is doable. Just remember that gentle trunk bends on small tree practically disappear as the trunk get thicker. Get some thick wire and start some hard bends now.

 

[stroven]

Since you are prepared for spending years to grow this, the informal upright is doable. Just remember that gentle trunk bends on small tree practically disappear as the trunk get thicker. Get some thick wire and start some hard bends now.

Thank you for the advice! This is good to know.

Repotting Update
The tree turned completely brown, about a week after I posted this. I thought it was done for! I realized that the orchard pot and the new airy soil was drying it out quickly each day and basically drown it every day since. To my surprise, its alive! Starting to push out new green growth...phew!

Re styling - yeah still not sure what I will do, you can see I got some curves into it when it was really young but I expect these to grow out as it gets older. I do like the idea of being true to the species and trying this 'flat top' style. But then that makes me tempted to cut off that lowest, side ways growing branch now so it doesn't hog any energy... hmm so many options.

 

[snowman04]

I too started a similar adventure with a BC this year. It is amazing how much water it can take...