Wulfskaar's Bald Cypress

[Wulfskaar]

I would bend down the flat top primary branches a bit more. I would not prune or train the secondary branches until they lignify. Then I would wire them to fit in the flat top form. Next year they will be chopped for continuation if the ramification.

The main top branches are already wired down as far as I want. I don't want them to be at 90°. I tried to get some better pics of the top. There are 2 branches coming off the top that I want to keep. One of them (left) quickly divides into 2 more.

My question is if I can/should remove all the new foliage that I don't want. My thinking is then the tree will focus growth on the branches I do want, but I wonder if it will just respond by budding all over the place again.

 

[Cajunrider]

The main top branches are already wired down as far as I want. I don't want them to be at 90°. I tried to get some better pics of the top. There are 2 branches coming off the top that I want to keep. One of them (left) quickly divides into 2 more.

My question is if I can/should remove all the new foliage that I don't want. My thinking is then the tree will focus growth on the branches I do want, but I wonder if it will just respond by budding all over the place again.


View attachment 600296

When they are healthy, you can remove whatever you want. If the branches you keep are young and not hardened, they will grow faster. Old branches will form more buds.

 

[Wulfskaar]

When they are healthy, you can remove whatever you want. If the branches you keep are young and not hardened, they will grow faster. Old branches will form more buds.

Thank you as always!

Does a tree like this just get 90% of it's foliage pruned for photo shoots and shows? Or do they continually maintain it like this?

 

[Cajunrider]

Thank you as always!

Does a tree like this just get 90% of it's foliage pruned for photo shoots and shows? Or do they continually maintain it like this?

I think they get pruned for show. Trees get into energy deficit with too much foliage removed.

 

[Wulfskaar]

I think they get pruned for show. Trees get into energy deficit with too much foliage removed.

So it's basically a balancing act. I want to develop my branching without overly weakening my tree.

Last year, I did not prune at all. I think I will this year, then not prune again next year.