Hollow trunk BC

jws

I have a BC stump that I would like to style into a hollow trunk design. I'm unsure of the best design for the apex. Anyone have any pictures they would like to share or a drawing. Sorry, to cold for a picture today, just trying to beat the winter blahs, with something to do. My BC has a 14" buttress (nothing impressive) 5" trunk, with little flare to a 3 1/2" to 4" chop, and close to 30" tall. It seems that you don't see many hollow designed trees, or i'm not looking around enough. Thanks for any help guy's and gals ( Stay warm,watch race and dream of spring ) JW

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BonsaiMon

Hi JW .. good to hear you finally found a baldie..
as for ideas... can be more specific with a picture.. so when the weather warms next week maybe a pic??
I had a hollowed trunk Pond cypress about 4' in height but hurricane Isabel decided to do a trunk smash.. nature?.. such a teacher.. and now it looks like I will need to separate the pieces and have two trees.. before picture is locked in an old computer..

Did a GOOGLE 'bald cypress bonsai' and found some..
You are right .. not many hollowed trunks.
Guy Guildry has and interesting one currently for sale with shari in the rootage/beginnings of trunk
http://www.bonsainorthshore.com/cyp...ai_for_sale.htm

..another is PERSONAL COLLECTION OF BONSAI CREATED BY PAUL PIKEL

So.. let's see what you have ..

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tom stoute

http://bonsaiinsights.spaces.live.com/

taipan(deceased)

Hi jws and bonsaimon, Here's a shot taken from inside my bougainvillea...

I love hollow trees...

Happy Growing guys
Tai

JohnQuinn

Randy Clark showed this BC at the Carolina Bonsai Expo in 2002. The base was huge...probably 16 inches or more, with a surprise inside.

Attached Images

	randybc2002.jpg (52.7 KB, 142 views)
	randybcfrog.jpg (40.8 KB, 114 views)

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wolverine

Is the frog inside real?

eminart

No, but wouldn't it be cool if it was?

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jws

Thanks BonsaiMon, Will try to get picture up soon. The deal with my tree is it's lack of taper going to the apex. I know it's hard to receive help without posting pictures. Just to throw something out here, would a tree carved hollow on the top apex side to create some taper, with the hollowed out part then coming around to the front of the tree look good? Thanks all JW

BonsaiMon

Sounds like you are going for a formal upright style. It is doable and different versions of what you describe has been done. Guy Guildry donated a tree to the National Collection which he used the term "twister". http://www.bonsainorthshore.com/gui...pavillion_c.htm
A pic of when it first started is at http://www.bonsainorthshore.com/

A new apex will be created by choosing a leader coming from where the taper first begins to become constant on size.. this is where you make your major chop. I choose a front according to the rootage and for the hollowed trunk, would make my cut slanting toward the front. When sprouts begin to grow in the spring select one near the top backside of the cut, hopefully growing upward. This will be allowed (may take a year or more) to grow til a desired tapered look is achieved. While this is underway you can begin selecting side, back, and front branches. If a branch is not where you want it remove it and eventually one will pop where you need. I also reccommend large growing container or the ground to get this basic design going, and the branches sized and ramified. You can hollow in the beginning or wait till the tree is growing strong and alot of vigorous growth. The hollowing will heal faster with healthy, vigorous growth.
Oh .. by the way.. Where's the pic..
Here's one i found in the back woods already chopped and a leader which was usable. Been in traing about 5 years now... looking forward to the summers foilage flush..

Attached Images

Baldcypress2006.jpg (25.5 KB, 76 views)

__________________
peace,
tom stoute

http://bonsaiinsights.spaces.live.com/

jws

John, thanks for the picture of Randy's tree. This is the tree I was hoping someone had a picture of. John ,isn't this a pond cypress? I will try to style my lowely tree on the same lines, but it won't have the nice taper Randy's has. Tom , I'm still working on the picture. The tree is set in the ground right now for the winter , and not in the best place for a picture to be taken. I will be setting up a place this spring (almost here) to take pictures of my trees so everyone can give advice on how best to style them. Thanks for the help guys, JW