Trunk Splitting a Shimpaku Juniper

[Dario]

No worries Viet, glad to help you locate the link.
This is a great topic and I am learning from it, so thank you.
As I have only been doing bonsai for one and a half years, I hope you can clarify something for me please Grant...
When splitting junipers with one or more splits so that the branch in question is being divided into different pieces/sections, to allow for dificult bends and twists etc...
how does the juniper branch tolerate this proceedure of multiple splits?
I am asking specifically because junipers, as opposed to other species, in my understanding have very defined live veins.
I assume that the split is done in a straight line, so isn't it inevitable that a live vein would be damaged...especially if their are multiple splits?
I know this technique works as your pictures and experience shows.
I have also seen quite a few examples of this technique used on other junipers too (as well as other species).
I guess I am asking how the phisiology of the juniper copes with this technique, given the live vein situation?
Sorry if that question was a little long-winded Grant, but I am very curious to know the answer.
Thanks in advance, Dario.

[Grant Bowie]

No worries Viet, glad to help you locate the link.
This is a great topic and I am learning from it, so thank you.
As I have only been doing bonsai for one and a half years, I hope you can clarify something for me please Grant...
When splitting junipers with one or more splits so that the branch in question is being divided into different pieces/sections, to allow for dificult bends and twists etc...
how does the juniper branch tolerate this proceedure of multiple splits?
I am asking specifically because junipers, as opposed to other species, in my understanding have very defined live veins.
I assume that the split is done in a straight line, so isn't it inevitable that a live vein would be damaged...especially if their are multiple splits?
I know this technique works as your pictures and experience shows.
I have also seen quite a few examples of this technique used on other junipers too (as well as other species).
I guess I am asking how the phisiology of the juniper copes with this technique, given the live vein situation?
Sorry if that question was a little long-winded Grant, but I am very curious to know the answer.
Thanks in advance, Dario.

Hi Dario,

with Junipers it will only work in a straight line with youngish material; like we have in Australia. (Up to 75mm perhaps?)

Virtually all bonsai juniper materal in Australia is young compared to overseas dug material.

if live veins are were already established i would split following the flow of the live vein if possible. As you know live veins can be separated from trunk and moved etc; but we don't have that sort of materiall here.

Grant

[Dario]

Hi Grant, thanks for clearing that up for me.
Yeah I have heard about detaching the live vein before, though I haven't a clue how it is done?
I have seen some images of a Juniper that had this procedure done so that the dead wood to which the live vein was attached could be drastically bent
without damaging the live vein, and then re-attached. But the pics were before/after shots with none detailing the actual proceedure.
This fascinates me and one day I hope to learn how it is done so that I can understand it
Dario.