# Bald cypress forest **URL:** \ **Category:** Beginners\ **Created:** [March 31, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/bald-cypress-forest/12544 "2025-03-31T23:27:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rod](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/rod/32/34946_2.png) [@Rod](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Rod)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/bald-cypress-forest/12544/1 "2025-03-31T23:27:04Z")
Here is my first attempt at a bald cypress forest. Not sure if main tree should be short or to just develop a flat top from that height. ![IMG_0158](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/bonsaimirai/original/3X/e/5/e53e0d3860c1c90d6b0051db39146616f9c85385.jpeg) ![IMG_0159](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/bonsaimirai/original/3X/0/6/063ea705fc2be3b938f9014fa4c0ff1adaa8fd01.jpeg) ![IMG_0160](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/bonsaimirai/original/3X/d/3/d3c80f0f5aa1f89a8a1a5b7e6125d8b303afe564.jpeg) ![IMG_0161](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/bonsaimirai/original/3X/f/d/fdb3639b2db1f1df65f4264ce82043fbc8c1daa2.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![MartyWeiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@MartyWeiser](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/MartyWeiser)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/bald-cypress-forest/12544/2 "2025-04-01T01:20:19Z")
I like the image of a large flat top tree shading out the smaller trees and limiting their growth. Once it establishes, I think you need to work on developing a bit more height difference among the other trees, but that is next year or later this summer if they grow wel. ---
**Author:** ![Rod](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/rod/32/34946_2.png) [@Rod](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Rod)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 1:58am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/bald-cypress-forest/12544/3 "2025-04-01T01:58:02Z")
Thanks Marty I appreciate you responding with your guidance. That’s what I wanted as I was putting it together one large tree towering over the forest. But I started questioning my self. The other trees do need some work as they develop. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Rod](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/rod/32/34946_2.png) [@Rod](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Rod)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 1:41pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/bald-cypress-forest/12544/4 "2025-04-01T13:41:00Z")
I was wondering if I was to let these grow in checked in standing water for a couple of years would they increase in size much? I’ve heard they grow fast but I’m just learning about them. In the end I want three distinct levels of flat tops. ---
**Author:** ![MartyWeiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@MartyWeiser](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/MartyWeiser)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/bald-cypress-forest/12544/5 "2025-04-01T16:28:16Z")
@Rod I grew a bald cypress from about 1" diameter to a bit over 3" over a period of 20 years - all in a pot in a climate where it needs winter protection. I grew it in water a few years and it seemed like it swelled when it went from winter storage into the water for the summer, but the extra swelling would go away over the winter, so I stopped. I don’t think there is any real benefit to growing in water, at least is a climate with freezing weather. I have converted from a 6-9 mm 1-1-1 mix to a 3-6 mm 2-0-1 mix (2 akadama) to give it more moisture during our moderately hot, dry summers (3-0-1 next repot which is now my standard deciduous mix). ---
**Author:** ![Rod](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/rod/32/34946_2.png) [@Rod](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Rod)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/bald-cypress-forest/12544/6 "2025-04-01T19:05:58Z")
I used a mixture of Canadian compost, pine bark , and lava. 1,1,1. The compost I had and use in my garden. I used this mix from what was suggested on a few sites I read and was supposed to help with water retention and good drainage. But what you are saying is bc hold water the increase in size is what the tree dose to survive in nature to preserve water. Is that what you’re saying? ---
**Author:** ![MartyWeiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@MartyWeiser](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/MartyWeiser)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/bald-cypress-forest/12544/7 "2025-04-01T19:30:39Z")
It sounds like you have a good mix for initial development of the forest. I use a similar mix with pumice at closer to 50% instead of lava for trees in early development. I am not sure why my bald cypress seemed to swell when placed in water - it was just an observation.