Source material: 2017, March & 2016, August





Cupressus macrocarpa). However, unlike the Pinus rigida), the Monterey cypress is not known for its ability to backbud, and some have even suggested it is incapable of backbudding onto old wood. A variety of species have reports of similar constraints, which make them a little more challenging or limited as subjects of bonsai. However, here I will offer for discussion the approach Dan and I have experimented with for the past two seasons to attempt to induce backbuds. It may well be that not enough experimentation has been attempted due to the species being an uncommon subject. We are now near the end of the series of five Dan Robinson trees that will be in the Pacific Bonsai Museum's Natives " exhibit (which starts this Saturday , April 8). Today in the realm of unusual and underappreciated species in American bonsai - the Monterey Cypress (). However, unlike the pitch pine ), the Monterey cypress is not known for its ability to backbud, and some have even suggested it is incapable of backbudding onto old wood. A variety of species have reports of similar constraints, which make them a little more challenging or limited as subjects of bonsai. However, here I will offer for discussion the approach Dan and I have experimented with for the past two seasons to attempt to induce backbuds. It may well be that not enough experimentation has been attempted due to the species being an uncommon subject.

Dan's Monterey Cypress tree after light pruning in March 2017.

Searching online, I was only able to find a handful of other Monterey cypress specimen trained as bonsai - both of which appear dramatically younger than Dan's tree. Possible reasons for their rarity may be any combination of a lack of established knowledge on the species, the difficulty with tending to them (the previously mentioned backbudding issue) from those who have tried them, and/or a lack of mature stock to start with. Monterey cypress trees do not seem to be found naturally stunted - the bonsai specimen I have found were either grown from seed or tamed from nursery materials.

This Monterey cypress has been grown from seed for bonsai

since 2007 and captures the iconic, coastal, wind-battered look well. Source

Another Monterey cypress bonsai example. Source

It may be well that there are not established bonsai examples of the species. This leaves us room to explore. Instead what we will model off of - and what I think one should always keep in mind for bonsai - is how the species looks in nature. Here are several stunning, full-size examples.

An example of a natural, mature Monterey cypress with a flat-top. The coastal winds batter these trees and are probably the cause of the dead lower branches. Source