How can I bend thick trunks? - bonsaiTALK Community

9-Feb-2005	#11
Jerry Meislik bonsaiTALK Master Join Date: Nov-2003 Location: Whitefish Montana Country: United States USDA Zone: 4 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 465	Larry, Scarring is always a concern but it may be easier to deal with than trying to chop the tree back to a new apex. Ficus heal over very well. Jerry __________________ Jerry Meislik Whitefish Montana USA Zone 4-5 http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

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9-Feb-2005	#12
Larry Bonsai hobbyist Join Date: Jul-2003 Location: North East Country: England USDA Zone: 8/9 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,622	Jerry, i kknow that Ficus produce a lot of whie latex when cut, do you have to clear this up before joining, or does it actually assist the healing process? Also, I read the article on leaf pruning a ficus, and noticed that it isnt permanent in that the leaves revert to their normal size after a while. Interesting! __________________ Today is or was yesterday's tomorrow

9-Feb-2005

#13

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinBorjesson

Finally!!
I had no homepage..... had to search for a web hotell....
Here it is.......suggestions?

Link to oversize image

If you resize that image and upload it using the manage attachments tool, people can play with it and perhaps offer virtuals. It looks like that service has some type of protection against it.

That is one thick, straight section of trunk. Maybe you should perfect your technique on a broomstick or closet rod first.

I think carving it combined with cutting back might be an option, too.

Regards,

Matt

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9-Feb-2005	#14
Jerry Meislik bonsaiTALK Master Join Date: Nov-2003 Location: Whitefish Montana Country: United States USDA Zone: 4 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 465	The latex if its very copious can be wiped away. Otherwise you can ignore it. Leaf reduction is not permanent in that the newest leaves continue to get larger until they get to normal size. Jerry __________________ Jerry Meislik Whitefish Montana USA Zone 4-5 http://www.bonsaihunk.us/

9-Feb-2005	#15
dbz12fan Charles Bevan Join Date: Apr-2003 Location: Florida Country: United States USDA Zone: 9B AHS Heat Zone: 9 Posts: 2,250	I prefer the idea of cutting it back. __________________ "Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge Charles Bevan Vero Beach, Fl

10-Feb-2005	#16
Adam_MA bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Sep-2003 Location: Eastern MA Country: U.S.A USDA Zone: Zone6 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,158	I think this tree would look great shortened up a bit. However in one of the past couple of Bonsai Today issues they showed a technique where they used a power drill to drill a hole about half way through the trunk then moved the drill around to hollow out a an area removing just enough wood to make the desired bends in the trunk. The benefit to this is that they were able to get smooth curves rather than sharp angles.. Nice tree though Adam

10-Feb-2005	#17
MartinBorjesson bonsaiTALK Journeyman Join Date: Feb-2005 Location: Gothenburg Country: Sweden Posts: 14	Do you have any idea where I can read more about this drilling technique and preferably some pictures for illustration. I dont have "Bonsai Today". __________________ Happy beginner

10-Feb-2005	#18
Aaron_K bonsaiTALK Master Chief Join Date: Mar-2004 Country: England USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 2-3 Posts: 1,477	I have seen some pictures posted by Walter Paul. I believe they were of him and an assistant, bending a 200 year old pine of some description (think it was a Mugo Pine). I remember it because there was a blow torch or something being used. Walter would be a good person to ask, as he has a great deal of experience and knowledge! Regards, Aaron

10-Feb-2005	#19
malhomme bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman Join Date: Feb-2005 Location: Austin, Texas USDA Zone: 8b AHS Heat Zone: 9 Posts: 802	Personally I would try the wedge-cut technique (if for nothing more than practice). If the tree snaps in your hand you can then try a trunk chop. My two cents. -- malhomme

10-Feb-2005	#20
MartinBorjesson bonsaiTALK Journeyman Join Date: Feb-2005 Location: Gothenburg Country: Sweden Posts: 14	Ok... finally....I cut a wedge and with the help of an another we managed to bend it... But there is a small gap which I cant seem to close. It´s about 1 mm wide and 2-3 mm deep into the trunk. Will that heal together or must I close it completly? I thick that will be a great risk to break the trunk right of if I try one more time. __________________ Happy beginner Last edited by MartinBorjesson : 11-Feb-2005 at 08:48 AM.

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