trunk bending

[Paul B]

Hi Guys,
how does one go about trunk bending on species that have easily damaged bark? for eg coastal redwood etc?

[Booga]

no expert here Paul, I have read articles where they wrap the tree with Raffia and the bend or wire

[MattA]

Hey Paul,

I dont have much experience with coastal redwoods or wiring in general but various methods can be used to protect the bark, plastic coated electrical cable is great

Wrapping trunks or branches helps to prevent bark seperating from the cambium layer when applying heavy bends or when working with species that have thin bark. All sorts of materials can be used to wrap a branch or trunk, from natural fibres like raffia, jute & cotton rope to things like the inner tubes from a pushbike or vetwrap (a type of bandage) or anything else you think wil fill the roll of a creating a second skin.

Hope that helps.
Matt

[kcpoole]

Hi paul
I dunno if they are classed as easily damaged or not, but the bend I put into my Pinus Pinea ( I origially thought Radiata), Was no trouble when I did the 2 bends shown in this thread
viewtopic.php?f=131&t=7125&p=93612&hili ... ata#p93612

and then here is the top bit after separating the layer a few months agao
viewtopic.php?f=131&t=9472&p

Ken

[Booga]

Hay Ken thats some contortion you have done to that pine