My First Swampy

[Taffy]

Very nice tree. I really like the downward pointing branches.

what are the circles at the top of the wires?

Plastic tubing to stop wire cutting in maybe?

[blkrota]

5 stars

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

The heavy branches are tied down to very small eyelets that are screwed directly into the base of the tree. When removed the small holes will heal over very quickly and not be seen.

I originally used gutter guard around the branch and then threaded 1.5mm wire through the gutter guard and around the branch once. I pulled the branches down and then got on with wiring all the branchlets.

Once I started placing all the branches I wanted to drag the branches down even more vertically so I simply threaded more 1.5mm wire through plastic tubing and placed the plastic tubing mostly over where the gutter guard still remains. I then removed the original wire which I will re use.

When the growing season comes and the tree is nicely settled in its new pot I will undercut most of the heavy branches to really lock them into place in the quickest time possible. They heal and callous really quickly.

The new growth will soften the outline of the tree. I may be able to completely remove all the wire and eyelets within about 6 months.

Grant

[nealweb]

Hi all,


When the growing season comes and the tree is nicely settled in its new pot I will undercut most of the heavy branches to really lock them into place in the quickest time possible. They heal and callous really quickly.

Grant

What do you mean by this?

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,


When the growing season comes and the tree is nicely settled in its new pot I will undercut most of the heavy branches to really lock them into place in the quickest time possible. They heal and callous really quickly.

Grant

What do you mean by this?

With a dremel I could cut a long thin channel along the underside of the heavilly bent down branches. When its heals and callouses the branch is locked in place. Taxodiums branches can bounce back into original position quickly.

Or with a saw do a few cuts under each branch. Simlar result.

I will wait till the growing season is well underway.

Grant

[nealweb]

Hi all,


When the growing season comes and the tree is nicely settled in its new pot I will undercut most of the heavy branches to really lock them into place in the quickest time possible. They heal and callous really quickly.

Grant

What do you mean by this?

With a dremel I could cut a long thin channel along the underside of the heavilly bent down branches. When its heals and callouses the branch is locked in place. Taxodiums branches can bounce back into original position quickly.

Or with a saw do a few cuts under each branch. Simlar result.

I will wait till the growing season is well underway.

Grant

What a neat trick. I hadn't heard of this one. I guess the stiff scar tissue holds it there. Does this work on other species that can spring back after wires are removed - like junipers?

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,


When the growing season comes and the tree is nicely settled in its new pot I will undercut most of the heavy branches to really lock them into place in the quickest time possible. They heal and callous really quickly.

Grant

What do you mean by this?

With a dremel I could cut a long thin channel along the underside of the heavilly bent down branches. When its heals and callouses the branch is locked in place. Taxodiums branches can bounce back into original position quickly.

Or with a saw do a few cuts under each branch. Simlar result.

I will wait till the growing season is well underway.

Grant

What a neat trick. I hadn't heard of this one. I guess the stiff scar tissue holds it there. Does this work on other species that can spring back after wires are removed - like junipers?

I would only consider it on quick growing and healing trees. Elms, figs, pines for instance would be a good example.

Junipers? You can split Junipers but it is much more complex than a simple single cut or two..

Grant

[nealweb]

Thanks Grant, I 'll remember that one. I guess you only cut shallowly, just enough to make a scar?

[Grant Bowie]

Thanks Grant, I 'll remember that one. I guess you only cut shallowly, just enough to make a scar?

No, fairly deeply. Up to half the diameter is easy.

grant

[Bretts]

That's very dramatic Grant
I could easily hand over the award for best swampy in Aus now. I sure have not seen any better
Nice work!

[anttal63]

Great work Grant!!! This tree has really come into its own now...

[blkrota]

Cool just learnt somthing new, I am going to give that a go on an elm.

[craigw60]

Beautiful tree Grant
Craig

[Grant Bowie]

Cool just learnt somthing new, I am going to give that a go on an elm.

Of course only do it where the scars would not be seen .

Grant

[craigw60]

How about cedar Grant ? Their branches take so long to set.
Craig