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Bald cypress, Taxodium distichum, is a species of deciduous conifer, cone-bearing tree (like pines and firs). The leaves of the cypress turn dark green to bronze or rich pumpkin brown inautumn and give it a feathery, fine-textured appearance. Native to the southeastern UnitedStates. Zone 4-10. Grow 75 + feet tall. There are trees to 3,500 years old in North America. The bald cypress prefers very wet, swampy soils. Riverbanks, lake floodplains, wet depressions. They often grow in circular stands; viewed on the horizon, these stands have a peculiar dome shape, with shorter, almost stunted trees growing around the edges and trees gradually growing taller toward the center.
Problems
Twig blight caused by Pestalotia funerea is a weak pathogen and is usually present on dead
or dying tissue. When the tree is stressed the fungus can kill branch tips. Dead tips can be
pruned off. Do not let dead or diseased branches remain on the tree.
Keep trees healthy with regular fertilization.
Em (my grand daughter) and I found it right here in the Everglades of Florida
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2003 |
The tree was collected in 2001
on a cattle ranch in Stuart, FL. by
Robert Pinder of Dragon Tree Bonsai.
I acquired it in 2003. |
The height at the chop is 25”
and the root spread is 21”.
The tree is a classic representative of a
bald cypress. The only thing needed is to
grow the top. Ok…. I have chosen to grow
the tree in a classic flat top. The style requires
a scant amount of branches properly
placed to emulate an ancient tree. |
2006 |
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2007
Still working on growing the top.
One problem is the tree grows profusely.
To keep the branches in proper proportions
and the ramification in check is a constant
battle. |
As you can see the tree on the right has fewer
branches and the chop is starting to blend in
with rest of the trunk.
Sooner or later I will remove that bottom
branch. |
2008 |
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2009
Still working to keep the ramification fine and feathery to blend in with the trees natural tendencies. The height, from the top of the pot is 35” and the canopy is 45” wide.
The pot is 26.5” X 19.5” X 5”.
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Last Updated on Friday, 24 December 2010 15:38 |
