Trunk splitting for bending

[kvan64]

Quite a few of people here have tried wedge cutting and heartwood drilling before bending. I was wondering if anyone has tried splitting trunks before bending them with success

[Jamie]

i will be interested in this myself DK

i have always wondered if the trunks are split but not fully all the way up the length of the trunk to create two halves as such, but only splitting enough to give the wood movement and then sealed and wrapped before wiring to heal?

[bodhidharma]

I have done this on a large branch but it left quite a scar, although the branch moved well. I again tried it on a larger branch and the branch died. I have a great trunk splitter but am unsure i want to use it on a nice trunk. I actually think it is an outdated method now that we know about rubber wrap, raffia and scaffolding, large benders etc. I would imagine it was used by our forefathers when they did not know any better or did not have the technology we have at our fingertips now. Only a guess though.

[Jarrod]

I have watched achinese master split I shimps trunk 3 times like a pizza if you viewed a cross section and have heard a year later that the tree is going fine. I think it only works on certain trees with certail bark types.

[Asus101]

Kimura Does it often.

[Jarrod]

Kimuras favorite trick is split the live vein of a big twisted trunk. Then twisting the shari out of that.

[Grant Bowie]

The answer is yes, then no, and then yes again.

I will explain further in the morning. My head hurts.

grant

[dayne]

kimura does lots often he could graft wings onto a juniper and make it fly i find thin but deep carve the best less stress check leongs pine around the bend video on his website

[Gerard]

Nearly a year ago I watched several demonstrations and participated in a group workshop by Mr Song from China.
He was very keen to use this method on junipers but strongly advised that other methods be used for different species.
Took a while to find but I recently purchased splitters. I recommend that you get a big pair as it is usually a thick trunk which requires this technique and the tool must open wide enough to fit the trunk.
It was only a few days ago when I used this method on a juniper squamata, bending was really easy and I expect little or no scarring.
1- Split the trunk where you wish to bend.
2- Flex the trunk to loosen fibrous tissues
3- Apply cut paste
4- Apply raffia (Mr Song likes to use string)
5- Wire and bend

[Grant Bowie]

About ten years ago I bought some very large trunk splitters in preparation for some bending.
The first subject was a Scots pine. I split and then bent by about 90 degrees a branch. One year later I took off the raffia and it had bent, stayed in position and healed over nicely.
I then set about bending the trunk on the same pine. The splitting and bending seemed to work fine. It was unwrapped and then about a year later I repotted it. At that point it started to fail and died.
I did a number of splits on a Five Needle pine and it worked fine as far as the bending was concerned but left some major scarring. I later sold the tree and have done no splitting since.
However after seeing the Chinese master Song and the splitting,bending and twisting of Junipers I am enthused to try again, but on Junipers only.
I will do the drilling and hollowing method for Pines.
He tried to explain why he wouldn't do it on Pines and I think he thinks it comes down to infection. (Translation that day was unclear).

So Yes, No and Yes again.

Grant

[NBPCA]

Nearly a year ago I watched several demonstrations and participated in a group workshop by Mr Song from China.
He was very keen to use this method on junipers but strongly advised that other methods be used for different species.
Took a while to find but I recently purchased splitters. I recommend that you get a big pair as it is usually a thick trunk which requires this technique and the tool must open wide enough to fit the trunk.
It was only a few days ago when I used this method on a juniper squamata, bending was really easy and I expect little or no scarring.
1- Split the trunk where you wish to bend.
2- Flex the trunk to loosen fibrous tissues
3- Apply cut paste
4- Apply raffia (Mr Song likes to use string)
5- Wire and bend

Hi I don't remember him applying cut paste. Did he use the tube or putty type?

Grant

[MattA]

Has anyone tried trunk splitting with deciduous trees & in particular Prunus? I have a Prunus nigra that I am currently considering reworking but as it is predominantly deadwood I would need to split off the live vein ala Kimura et al to reposition.

Matt

[Gerard]

Hi I don't remember him applying cut paste. Did he use the tube or putty type?

Grant[/quote]

Hi Grant, sorry I only just saw your question.
He used the tube type, very liberally.

[Gerard]

Hi I don't remember him applying cut paste. Did he use the tube or putty type?

Grant[/quote]

Hi Grant, sorry I only just saw your question.
He used the tube type, very liberally.

[lennard]

I have done it on a Ficus .......well you can do anything to a Ficus and it will survive!

I took the trunksplitter and split three times adjacent to the other. I then wrapped the split area with isolation tape glue side on the outside. I took some wire and run two strips down the side I wanted it to bent. I took the isolation tape and wrapped again. I coiled a heavy wire I have anchored in the soil. I bend it until I heard some cracking. 10 months(I think) later:

split1.jpg

split 3.jpg

split2.jpg

Lennard