Pinus virginiana

lehket

Works for me. I don't know about the bending, but if you can do it, it should look good.

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hackberry

Looks like I stand corrected. 'Make statements based on limited anecdotes at your own peril.'

Nice tree, Tachigi.

Bwaynef:
As far as getting the bends, have you considered using branchbenders?

Also, I saw a guy at our show bend some taxus branches (no easy feat) with industrial, bundled copper wire that he had purchased from a salvage yard. It seemed to work. I also heard that if you let your tree dry a little, the branches are less turgid and bend more readily. Don't know if that is the case with conifers, but makes sense.

bwaynef

I'm generally opposed to the idea of branch benders (at least as I've been presented with them). No amount of padding/insulating the branches being bent can prevent the marks/scars/evidence of the branch benders.

I've received different opinions on the difficulty of this bend, but I belive its going to be a little involved. At present, notching looks to be the best option for this tree ...for the lowest bend(s). I'll likely try copper coiled around raffia coiled around copper ...but I doubt its going to bend it like I want it. I'd be happy to be surprised though.

I've also received some input suggesting the trunk would be (too?) tall and skinny. Any thoughts?

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bwaynef

Just an update:

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	pvirg-081207.jpg (72.3 KB, 42 views)

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Vonsgardens

Wayne,
Branch benders work like a charm if used correctly. I am not talking about the ones that look the top of a wine press. Use raffia, large copper wire and rebar. Anchor the rebar at the point you want the bend and then bend at that point to the angle you want. Repeat as necessary. Using your 3rd and 4th hands (all masters have them, that is their real secret) tighten guy wires to assist in the bend. It can be done and without marks- I have done it myself and with Boon and marco (Boon used a Japanese Branch Bending Bar (I got mine from Dalla Bonsai gardens). Morks slick if you do the prep work to do it right.

John

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bwaynef

If thats the post you're replying to John, I should have clarified that the only ones I'd come in contact with were the winepress contraptions. I found the Masakuni Branch Benders @ Dallas and they look like they'd do nicely.

I've found that turn buckles are my best (so far) alternative to an extra pair of hands. I can see how another hand or 2 would have been helpful, but I wasn't patient enough to wait 'til our study group met.

Thanks for pointing out a couple of useful tools to me.

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bonsaikc

There's an example of the rebar method in this post on my blog:

Boon Interview Part 1

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Kansas City Area Workshops 2008

kcpoole

Thanks for the Update Bwaynef

Getting some nice action there and hope to see some updates every year
The tree looks Much healthier than the first post of it

Ken

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bwaynef

I left this tree in traction (see previous pics) from about August 'til early March. I had been worried that the coach wrap would pull the flaky and furrowed bark off this trunk but I was fortunate to only lose one flake, though I used EXTREME caution when unwinding it.

The tree had begun to show signs of soil compaction (along with being in a mix that was much too dense), so this year I repotted it. Its in the same pot but in a MUCH improved mix (pine bark, turface, lava, pumice, and gravel/sand) which should really speed development.

I had to remove several large roots, and some roots that looked like they were dead (probably due to the poor soil conditions alluded to earlier). I opted not to wire the tree in by its roots, but rather to anchor it from the top, ...as you'll notice along with the bold use of garden hose to protect the trunk.

I still need a little extra movement in the lower portion of the trunk, but there is more there than can be seen in these photos. This year, the tree will mainly rest. I'm going to position it in full sun, water often, and fertilize heavily.

Attached Images

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	ed_DSC_0041.jpg (49.9 KB, 19 views)

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