AusBonsai

Hi I am planning to do some major rework bendings on a JBP.

When is the best time considering it will bleed a fair bit of sap?

Winter when there would be minimal sap lost or now when it is in vigorous growth and would heal faster?

Im leaning to now is a good time??

Personally, I feel winter is the best time. This time of year (summer) branches of all types are more brittle as they are full of sap/moisture and have a higher internal pressure. I believe waiting for the dormant period and drying the tree out quite a lot (not to the point of damage) before bending is the safest method.

I do all mine in late winter if I can.
My Demos i do on Junipers are done in October with no issues so far

Ken

Ken why is it that you do these bends in Winter?

The one I plan on doing is about 2 inches thick and will require abit of an op procedure.

I am tempted to attempt it now if its relatively safe but if you say Winter then perhaps I should wait

Anyone with thoughts on major bends with twists turns and 90 degree bends?

As treeman mentioned. the sap is flowing and causes the bark to get brittle split and pull away.
The other reason is that less things to do to our trees in Winter so more time to spend on them and less foliage to get in the way on Deciduos trees.

Re the large bensd, The just require time and technique to support the tree well during the bend.

Ken