Azalea - Bend a large trunk

[kcpoole]

I collected a large Azalea from a neighbour several years ago. It was so large I had to separate the stump into sections to make it manageable and to fit in some boxes to recover. I have posted pictures of the various parts before.

I did some work on one of the sections on the weekend that I thought might be well worthwhile showing. It is a large stump and several tallish branches. I had been advised by several people to just chop it fairly low and make a sumo type stump with a low canopy. As i have several examples of this style already, i thought I might like to keep some height in this one and see how we go.

I decided to tilt the Stump over a bit so the left and right stumps can be cut down to provide the lowest foliage masses at different heights, but doing so left he large central trunk pointing off in the wrong direction. I could have cut it back and rebuild the apex, but this will take a good few years and I would lose the nice thick powerful trunk, it would always be heading off to the right and to look unbalanced.

I think it was Jow a while ago posted an article and process on bending thick JBP trunks by hollowing them out first with a drill, so thought " what the heck", if it fails I can allways go back to plan A.
I would attempt a similar technique on the Azalea, and would be able to use the complete trunk to good effect ( I Think anyway), in the final Design.

What do you think?

Ken

[Jamie]

nice work ken! i hope it works for ya, i dont see why it wont, you have done eveything right i like the movement the cut out wedge has put in the trunk, i think it looks good! and i was curious as to how you were going to rectify the overlap but that has been done well to and hopefully heals over nicely
would it be an idea to carve where it overlapped a bit more so when the bark heals over it will be smooth without to much of a lump?
just a thought.

regards jamie

[Petra]

Hey nice job Ken, fingers crossed hey in your last photo, did you pot it up in Kanuma only. Also is that a shallow pot or is it how the picture turned out. Cheers!

[kcpoole]

Hey nice job Ken, fingers crossed hey in your last photo, did you pot it up in Kanuma only. Also is that a shallow pot or is it how the picture turned out. Cheers!

Yes it is in Kanuma only. Medium size then topped off with a layer of fine.

it is in a blue bonsai pot, Quite large oval and about 3 inches deep. I am sick of seeing trees that do not need a big pot for growth on my benches. Put them in a largd bonsai ( nursery pot) and they all look much nicer. Even trees in process.

Jamie I though about carving more out of it, but then decided to leave as much bark as possible to speed recovery. Can always hide it with foliage if need to later

ken

[Jamie]

good call mate, i was thinking the same thing just before you posted, look forward to seeing how this one goes i havent seen many large azalea bonsai in aus to often

[MasonC]

yer.its hard to come across good stock

[kvan64]

Nice work Ken. I was a bit worried to see the first pic with the wedge that is not perfectly an isosceles triangle. Yet the overlap turned out alright after carving. I have a few dug-up azaleas to bend as well and was thinking of using the "drilling method" as someone posted in another threat recently. Please keep us informed with your progress. I may try this too.
Cheers,
DK

[stymie]

I believe that the bark will eventually grow together and look fine. However, you must be aware that the joining together will only be bark deep and the area will always be a weak spot. I have used the technique several times without a failure. In view of the fact that the heartwood will never grow together because it is dead wood, I have used superglue on the cut surface, carefully avoiding the actual cambium. This holds the join together solidly and avoids the need for any external wire or guys. I have always sealed the completed join to avoid any drying out. The same thing has been done where a branch has been accidentally broken without taking out a wedge but again resorting to superglue. Your timing is perfect for a quick healing Ken as long as the roots are adequate. Relax.

[kcpoole]

Thanks Stymie. Never thought of Glueing it as well. Next time i do this I will try.
I will always have to be careful not to load up the bend too much

Ken

[Bretts]

Great work KC and nice idea Stymie

[bodhidharma]

G'day Ken. I have also successfully done this technique with evergreens and deciduous trees. On my Oregon the join produced a lip which is a little unsightly. The procedure is fairly successful though. I will see if i can show the lip on the Oregon.and you will see what i mean. O.K that was done 5 years ago and still not fully grown out.

[kcpoole]

Nice tree Bodi
Love the tight foliage
I can see the lip you left and amazing still there after 5 years

Ken

[bodhidharma]

Yes bit if a bugger really. It spoils the whole tree. Might have to be a carving fix. Please keep us in touch with the azaleas progress as i would love to stay in touch with it. It has spectacular written all over it.

[kcpoole]

Yes bit if a bugger really. It spoils the whole tree. Might have to be a carving fix. Please keep us in touch with the azaleas progress as i would love to stay in touch with it. It has spectacular written all over it.

I certainly will and thank you

Ken

[Gary Bee]

Very impressive, and courageous Ken.
The result was certainly worth the effort.
You have given the tree a great start to what should be a top tree!
Regards
Gary
<](:=))