I have a titree stump that has exposed dead wood right fown to siol level. I am concerned about that raaw timber. Can anyone advise me re wood preservative / hardener that is native friendly?
Jan
Native friendly wood preservative?
- Joel
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 1203
- Joined: November 12th, 2008, 3:04 pm
- Favorite Species: A yet to be found native
- Bonsai Age: 0
- Bonsai Club: The School of Bonsai
- Location: Gladstone, QLD
- Been thanked: 5 times
Re: Native friendly wood preservative?
Any of the products used on exotics should be fine. e.g. Lime sulfur or Earls Wood Hardner.
JayC
JayC
- Tachigi
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 38
- Joined: July 16th, 2009, 2:29 am
- Favorite Species: Any thing with foliage
- Bonsai Age: 0
- Location: Northern Hemisphere
Re: Native friendly wood preservative?
You can try teak oil (my personal favorite) or Linseed oil .... or you can char the wood to strengthen the structure and charcoal is the oldest form of wood preservation there is. Simple use a mini torch and work the deadwood so that it just starts to change color then brush it with a brass brush....viola...instant preservative and any punk wood is now strengthened. Obviously care must be taken to protect foliage and living tissue. This is a great technique Colin Lewis taught me for preserving and adding color depth to deadwood and doesn't cost a dime.
Cheers, Tom
The Behr Bonsai Scholarship
North Star Bonsai
Bonsai Vault
Don't flay yourself mentally when you make a mistake or when something bad happens. Just pick yourself up from the god-awful mess you’ve made, say to yourself "I must make a note not to do that again." and go on to the next step, of the hundred or so that remain.
The Behr Bonsai Scholarship
North Star Bonsai
Bonsai Vault
Don't flay yourself mentally when you make a mistake or when something bad happens. Just pick yourself up from the god-awful mess you’ve made, say to yourself "I must make a note not to do that again." and go on to the next step, of the hundred or so that remain.
- Jan
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 802
- Joined: April 23rd, 2009, 1:13 pm
- Favorite Species: natives, wisterias
- Bonsai Age: 12
- Bonsai Club: AusBonsai, Goulburn Bonsai
- Location: Goulburn, NSW, AUSTRALIA
- Has thanked: 277 times
- Been thanked: 100 times
Re: Native friendly wood preservative?
Thanks, JayC, I was wondering about lime sulfur with natives.
Thanks, Tachigi, I think I'll try the charing thing with this rugged little stump. It should only enhanse the character in it. I might finish up with some wood hardner/sealant on the area that is in contact with the soil.
If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm here to learn,
Jan
Thanks, Tachigi, I think I'll try the charing thing with this rugged little stump. It should only enhanse the character in it. I might finish up with some wood hardner/sealant on the area that is in contact with the soil.
If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm here to learn,
Jan
- Bretts
- Bonsai Philosopher
- Posts: 6671
- Joined: November 14th, 2008, 11:04 pm
- Favorite Species: carpinus jbp
- Bonsai Age: 12
- Location: Jervis Bay NSW
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Contact:
Re: Native friendly wood preservative?
One lesson I learn't from Walter Pall and one of my hornbeams (I guess Pup had something to do with it as well
) is that dead wood always eventually rots away trying to stop it is pushing shari up hill
Maybe that is non conifer wood but I always remember that these days. Work with the rotting don't fight it too much.


Maybe that is non conifer wood but I always remember that these days. Work with the rotting don't fight it too much.
It's too bad your in such a hurry cause the stories I could tell you, Bushels and baskets of stories, hole crates full of stories. But if you can spare a moment I will tell you one story.
- Pup
- Knowledgeable rogue
- Posts: 6357
- Joined: November 12th, 2008, 5:19 pm
- Favorite Species: melaleucas
- Bonsai Age: 31
- Bonsai Club: Bonsai society of Western Australia
- Location: Southern Suburbs of Perth Western Australia
- Been thanked: 37 times
- Contact:
Re: Native friendly wood preservative?
Tom has the right idea I use the burn technique on my natives a lot because it actually hardens the wood simulates bushfire's.
Also on most natives will stimulate back budding. I am not a wizz
with the computer but I have a couple of posts here showing my use of the blow torch. Very Very carefully I say.
At soil level you can try quick drying cement, as used in making cement fondu. For natural slabs.
Pup
Also on most natives will stimulate back budding. I am not a wizz

At soil level you can try quick drying cement, as used in making cement fondu. For natural slabs.
Pup

IN THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED, ACHIEVEMENT IS WITHIN SIGHT
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing