Help with Swamp Cypress

[Dzou]

Hey guys,

I have had a swamp cypress for a couple of months now and im having some troubles
with the ramification process. I really cant understand how to cut this tree back to create
a nice branch structure..Im used to figs which are obviously much easier and it is clear where
to cut them back.. With the swampie's secondary branches it seems it sometimes grows branches that are easier
to work with and i can see the process before me but other times it grows ones which are really dense and cant
possibly be cut back.. Does anyone know any sites or books that explain what to do with swampies? Or any useful tips
that will help me out?

Thanks, any help appreciated.. I can post photos if that will help.

Cheers
Dean

[kcpoole]

I do not have any swampies myself so cannot help out, but if you can post some pics to help describe the problem will be great.

Ken

[hard1all]

I love swampies! I have messed about with them for years. Killed one, somehow! For what it's worth - this is what I've learned.

I think every Swamp Cypress I've ever seen has had a straight upright trunk, or multiple straight upright trunks. Some might have enough movement to make them Informal Upright but, generally, they are upright and relatively straight.

Branches are a challenge as Swampies often prodice vigorous growth at a 45 degree upwards angle. If you try to wire these branches down you end up with a very unnatural look like the 'shoulders on an Arrowroot biscuit'. Plus, Swampie branches mark readily from wire and are slow to heal.

The good news is that often, directly under this upwards growth, will emerge a horizontal bud. Cut the upright growth off and keep this horizontal bud.

I have seen two types of branching on Swamp Cypress and I love them both.

The first are short, thick branches, growing almost horizontally. I suspect you start with these horizontal buds and develop the branching from there?

The second type of branching is the downwards sloping branches. The photo below is my Swampie so I actually have some experience in developing this type. I did not wire any branches. I just cut back to 'downward sloping growth'. If you look at a Swampie branch you will see that some new growth emerges from the underside of the branch. This is 'downward sloping growth'. Keep cutting back to this growth and the branch, over time, will grow downwards.

Also, if you do something as simple as run your hands, downwards, over new growth you will notice that new growth will respond by moving and staying in a more downwards position. I know it sounds weird but try it - it works. (If you try to wire and move new growth it often just comes clean off the trunk)

In my experience, Swampies take time. Mine's been about five years to get to this stage. So. if you're after an 'instant result' - you are not likely to get a good result with a Swampie. However, if you can learn the ideosynchrasies of this species and apply your skills appropriately you can WITH TIME produce something comparable to the great examples others have produced.

I trust my meagre offering helps.