Swamp Cypress

[MJL]

This tree was purchased not so long ago. The seller disliked the tree yet, every time I visited his collection, I was intrigued by the stumpy little thing. In the end, he wanted it moved from his bench and I was happy with the mate's rate offered. Each to their own.

Why the interest from me? Sometime in the tree's past, it was carved - perhaps a tad rough but way better than anything I could do myself... in fact, I have never carved a tree so. I liked the colour and texture of the trunk and the bark was appealing too. I liked the movement but (and a big but)...I was never going to be happy with the base... unless I created my own logical reason for the way the low part of the trunk was raised above the ground. I had also seen the tree increase in vigour each time I visited; so it seemed healthy.

Anyway - I got it home and worked on it back in February. First I wired it and gave it a light trim. Then on a whim, I decided to repot into a bigger pot and this allowed me to anchor the tree more solidly too. I am glad I did - I have no photos but I was able spread the roots for a better nebari. In addition,a rock was added. the rock does two things .... creates a reason for the movement (in my mind) and along with the wire, ensure the tree does not fall over.

As another bonus - this tree likes the same growing conditions my redwoods and many of my natives. It loves to sit in water and seems to be enjoying the sun too.

So I start yet another progression. I am posting photos today, party inspired by Kez's Swampy and I wanted to capture this year's foliage now. I think this tree will change into it's Autumn suit soon and then bare itself over winter. We'll see where it goes and I reckon, I'll need plenty of advice along the way.

Before

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After a light trim and wiring

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After repot

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As it is today

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[Keels]

I think you've got yourself a beauty to work on Mark. I like how your using the rock in an attempt to hide the taper issues in the trunk line.

My two bits of nothing....if it was my tree i'd be whipping out my craving tool and extending that section to reduce that bulge. But knowing me, i'd be sweatin on my decision like a bag of cats at a greyhound meet.

[Ryceman3]

I don't know much about swamp cypress but I really like this trunkline. I even like the reverse taper, for me it seems to add to the drama of this tree. I find the whole thing very interesting to look at, and I note there is a little guy in the mix so I gather you're also calling it as at least a step above crap MJL (as you should)!
Nice job.

[MJL]

Cheers R3 and Keels. Ryan, yep you’ve got it right ...anytime I add a little person - it says that, at the very least, I’m enjoying the setting - so something a tad more than rubbish and John, I get what you’re sat about carving - especially from the rear angle... but they are skills I am yet to learn so the rock is my decoy.


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[Keels]

.....the rock is my decoy.

Its working mate .... It is a beautiful tree.

[GavinG]

Lots of character and drama in the trunk, well played for taking it on. I was just wondering if you laid it over a bit further you could get the big ugly lump/reverse taper onto the ground, the carving straight above that , and the show hits the road. Don't forget to put a lot of energy/drama.movement into the branches as you go, to match the power of the trunk.

Good fun,

Gavin

[Beano]

The rock is a nice idea. Mine had a rotten section at the trunk bottom which I don’t know the full extent of yet. Might have to find a sneaky rock to fill the hole.


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[Matt S]

Very nice tree with a beautiful base.

I'm wondering what the styling options are - for most species you would create branches with a movement that reflects the trunk but do Swamp cypresses do that in the wild? I don't know a lot about Swamp Cypress but mostly they are grown as formal uprights, so are there any good examples of trees in the wild that have a trunk with a lot of movement like yours? Are there instances of wild trees with movement in the trunks and the branches or does the natural tendency to grow straight up eventually win out? Like I said I don't know much about these but I'm curious what others think or have done.

Anyway, great tree, I'm quite jealous.

Matt.

[MJL]

Hey Matt,
I hope you are well. Thanks for the feedback.
Species and style wise, I am learning too. You're spot on about the upright nature of most natural trees and indeed, bonsai. Check this out though... Wigerts Bonsai. Very Cool. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YclDGuENWiA
Towards the end of the video - from about 26 minutes - there are some magnificent specimens with really interesting branch lines.
In truth, I am not sure where I'll take my little tree. I am appreciating the varying advice and it all goes into the mix.
As an added bonus. Looking after this tree - is really helping my understanding of redwoods too. There are thriving in similar conditions and I am really looking forward to the future of this and the redwood raft that I have. I am amazed - staggered in fact - how much this swamp cypress, the redwoods and many of my native forests - kunzea, river gum, swamp paperbarks and moonah love sitting in water halfway up the bonsai pot!
Good fun.
Mark
PS - I guess with words like swamp and river in their titles I should not be surprised.

[melbrackstone]

Weighing in here only because I'm thinking "Swamp Cypress tend to live in swamps..."

You could make a nice mounded piece of moss to replace the rock, using clay and sphagnum, or even just a lump of sphag tied up with a bit of string...cover with some loose sphagnum, and before you know it, you'll have a way to hide the trunk that looks more realistic than an unlikely rock in a damp setting?

[MJL]

Good point Mel...who would have thought logic could help even letting moss form over the rock would work too perhaps.


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