AusBonsai

I have a question(s)
-I have understood what a life vein is: Live cambium that is part of the circulation system of the plant. Now it must be something like minute tubes???? How do I know in what direction they are going? I saw someone said that they are not always going in the direction You would expect them to go.
-If I cut across some of them, will the plant reroute them to feed the branches above, or there is a chance some branches will die.
- I need to make a shari, but dont know how to go about it without killing some branches. If I do it like a spiral, with some of the spiral cutting across the cambium, will my plant loose some branches?
How wide can I make the shari, and should I do it along an area that visually dont lead directly to branches?
I guess summer will be the best time to do it?

Hi Neli

Junipers/Conifers do flow different to other species that are mostly fairly straight up and down. Conifers are said to have flow in different directions and will even cross each other. On older trees if you study the tree you can 'read' where they are going by the bumps and flows in the outer bark. This is not generally evident on young trees.

If you can actually see the veins you are best to stick to them as much as possible as this is where the sap flows strongest and it is not a good idea to cut across them. On young trees you can make the veins flow where you want them with your shari and it is best done in stages. If you cut a thin line first then increase it over a couple of seasons you can almost do whatever you like. It is never advisable to cut straight across the trunk under the branch as this will stop the sap to that branch and generally kill it. You can spiral the cuts around the trunk and even get close to the branches as long as there is room for the flow to go into the branches. I would not recommend a regular spiral like a cork screw as this is uninteresting. Start just a few mm's wide or even just take out sections along and around the trunk and you will generally not have any problems.

Remember that shari is better on thicker trunks as it is difficult to make a feature out of it on thin trunks. Got a picture of the tree you are thinking about Neli?

Tony

Toni,
Thanks! This explains a lot to me. I have looked on the internet but could not find a reasonable answer. Had to guess most of it.
Yes I have a tree, but it is used at the competition, and I am not sure if I am allowed to ask specific questions on it. I dont want to be disqualified.
It is a needle juniper conferti (not confetti) as I wrote.
I hope it is allowed to ask what I asked now. Is it?
I shall just ask on principle, and not about the particular tree.
Lets say a tree of diameter of 4 cm, with a serious slant, but without visual twists like a japanese old tree, with a shari planned on the thickest branch or possibly main trunk apex. I tried to look but could not see visual indications of the directions of the LV, but there is an area of dead bark at the base of the tree.
I thought if I carefully start lifting and pealing that area in a 1cm wide line following the trunk line, I shall not be sure where it will lead me, but if I start from the top, from the planed shari and go towards the trunk and let it show me the direction while pealing it, If I peal it with pliers, by pulling, will it follow the direction of the life vein? I bought myself one of the set of tools for making shari, while I was abroad...Now I wish I bought the whole set.
Saw a guy on Utube just peal it with a knife any how, but along the trunk line. Did not look right to me.
The area where I want to put the shari is not near to any branches, and it is fairly straight line along the trunk following its direction, starting from the jin branch, and continuing for 15 cm to the base of the trunk. Nearest branch is 1cm away from this planed line..
I shall ask on the competition topic if we are allowed to ask this by posting a picture and showing the planed shari line, and asking if that will be OK.

Aparently we are allowed to ask this kind of questions for the competition.
So here is my picture with the proposed shari.
I would like to know what are the implications,
how dangerous it will be
Do I do it at one time or do first maybe 0.5cm?
How long it takes to heal?
When do I paint it with lime sulfur?
Do I seal it with something?
Any additional advise will be appreciated.
Jin and shari: There is also the dead area at the base of the trunk, just above the entrance on the shari into the soil.., like on top of the trunk. Maybe I just expand half way into the trunk that obe...but it will not seen much since it is on the top part of the trunk, and that is where all the branches are.
Also need to consider the fact that at the base of the trunk there is a dead area, which is covering almost half of the trunk.

Hi Neli

What you have indicated should be fine as it will connect the jin to the base over a short distance in virtually a straight line. If you are concerned always start narrow and widen it later in spring if you wish. If the shari connects to the dead area at the base you are referring to this would not be a problem. It is best to cut the lines you wish to follow with a sharp blade first and then peel as this way it will follow the lines you wish. Just make sure you cut through the bark layer, which will not be difficult on a young tree, and please be careful the blade does not slip and you cut your finger instead. You can seal the edges of the cut only if you wish, but if you are starting narrow this would not be a necessary. You cannot apply lime sulphur untill the wood is dry with no sap flow. Usually at least 6 months.

This is a young healthy tree and should show no signs of ill health with what you want to do. Have fun.

And please Neli, it is TonY

Thank You Tony,
I must have made a mistake...typing mistake.
BTW, Yours was the first blog I ever subscribed to.
I shall keep you posted on how it goes.