We started following the tale of this Bald cypress, Taxodium distichum, in early 2015. This is a big cypress with the classic fluting, in this case fluting that runs high on the trunk. These trees really make a statement!
Here we are, just under 18 months later. Are BC strong trees or what? This growth is typical of newly collected cypresses, which are powerfully apically dominant. This tree wants to be 20 feet tall again, no matter what it takes.
For the purposes of bonsai, however, I can’t let that happen. So this is the perfect time to get into the tree’s structure and see what I’ve got, and see what I can make of it.
If your cypress is strong you can defoliate it in July (assuming you live in the South). This gives the tree plenty of time to put on a new, fresh set of foliage in time for fall. It also greatly facilitates wiring and shaping the tree. Here you can see some wire I had put on last year, when the tree was first coming out. Now I’ve got a lot more branches to work with – too many, in fact, so it’s time to edit, wire and shape.
Now I’ve got my basic branch set for this future bonsai. Because the tree was trying desperately to grow taller, the branches in the body of the tree are relatively thin. This is typical, and you as the bonsai artist must overcome it. This is done by balancing the growth of the tree. The apex is going to do fine without any coaxing; the trick is to not let new buds and shoots take hold in the crown and launch themselves skyward. The tree will keep on trying, so I’ll come in and remove buds as needed to keep the energy in the lower part of the tree.
This specimen has a trunk that’s about 6″ across 6″ above the soil surface. The root spread is in excess of 15″. The height to the chop is 28″, and I anticipate the finished height of the bonsai will be 38-40″.
What do you think of this tree? I’ve love to hear any comments.
Hi Zach,
I have followed you online for quite a while. You are a great teacher! I have several bald cypress from nursery stock at various stages of bonsai. I live in central Illinois where are first frost is near the end of October. When is the latest I can prune back branches for purposes of ramification and not loose during the winter the new growth that results? Our first frost will be in 85 to 90 days.
Thanks,
Ken
Thank you, Ken. I think it’s probably a bit late in this growing season to prune for ramification where you are. June would most likely be the last month for that.
Zach, this is very interesting… defoliate in July. I have a cypress that is in about the same situation, I was going to just let it continue to grow. After reading this I think it may be best to cut the top and defoliate to force the growth on lower branched. I will send some pictures to you through email, I would like your opinion about it.
Thanks for sharing your work.
Gotta say it. I’m jealous. I’m thinking about traveling in search of bald cypress like this one. How far north do they grow naturally? I gues a better question is how far north are they plentiful?
Tim, the natural range extends up to Virginia along the East Coast and to extreme Southern Illinois and Indiana in the Midwest. Basically anywhere there’s swampy ground that they can naturally reproduce. They extend farther north by way of planted specimens, but you aren’t likely to find anything worth collecting that way.
Fantastic trunk has to become a super bonsai that anyone would be very proud to own.
Thank you, Clem.