best time to split the trunk

[peterb]

Hi everyone
I'm wanting to split the trunk on my chinese juniper , so that I can try to wire in some bends. What I'm wanting to know is when is the best time of the year to do this. I saw on one of Kez's threads that he did it in march. Is that the only time it can be done or can one do it earlier . The reason I'm asking , is that it's the tree I've entered in the comp and if I have to wait till then I'll be running out of time . Thanks for any input
peterb

[kcpoole]

I have not needed to split a trunk, but have bent quite a few
I tend to do them anytime I need but I have been advised that Spring is a bad time to do them as the sap is flowing more and thus the bark is more likely to separate.
I assume that splitting and bending will have the same caveate too for the same reason.

Ken

[Daluke]

I'm no expert, but wouldn't it be best to do this when the tree is growing hard? Like in spring??

[kcpoole]

I'm no expert, but wouldn't it be best to do this when the tree is growing hard? Like in spring??

for recovery yes you would think so, but see my comment above about sap flowing.

I would do now and then in spring the repair would accelerate

Ken

[shibui]

I have seen others warning against severe bending in spring for the reasons Ken has outlined.
The first time I split a trunk was November - all good except I took the binding off a bit early and the splits were not quite healed up and the healing process pushed the joins apart and they have still not fully united 4 years on.
A few weeks ago I split and bent another juniper. No issues so far and I don't expect any.
I'd say any time of year though I'd be a bit cautious in spring because of Ken's warning.

[peterb]

Thanks for the input guys, I'll get right onto that juniper then
peterb