AusBonsai

Im thinking of doing three to four split works on the trunk of a Cedrus Atlantica of mine, this afternoon to allow for some reasonable movement in the overall design. Does anyone know what tools to use for the job, and whether I should attempt such techniques at this time of year?

Tool wise, a suitable sized branch / trunk splitter , Raffia or similar to bind up the trunk and wire.

As for when, from what I understand, you can do trunk / branch work at any time of the year, but best when actively growing as the initial healing will be faster

Happy to be proved otherwise if anyone else want to chime in

Ken

Thanks Ken, I have an old bicycle tube I was going to substitute for raffia. I am tempted to experiment with timing and just do it now, and see how the tree responds to the treatment..

Hi Siddhar , permanent scaring will be the result of any damaged bark on a cedar .I have a Atlas Cedar with a wire mark from 15 years ago and it is 5 times larger than the original scar .Movement on cedars can be obtained by winding the trunk around a 20-30mm dowel or for smaller trunks you can use a bamboo stake .This gives no scarring and a 3 domensional movement .I have some trainers done this very way to elleviate the scars .Just to slack to load the topic !!! too busy more like it . Cheers Alpineart

Hi Siddhar , permanent scaring will be the result of any damaged bark on a cedar .I have a Atlas Cedar with a wire mark from 15 years ago and it is 5 times larger than the original scar .Movement on cedars can be obtained by winding the trunk around a 20-30mm dowel or for smaller trunks you can use a bamboo stake .This gives no scarring and a 3 domensional movement .I have some trainers done this very way to elleviate the scars .Just to slack to load the topic !!! too busy more like it . Cheers Alpineart

Thanks Alpineart, great advice! Funny I never even thought about using this technique. This is something that has been done with Junipers for years, and I can see how this technique could be adapted when working with Cedars. How long do you think it may take for a trunk to set if I use a dowel for shaping?

Hi Sidd ,i left them on for a full season and they didn't bounce back .When you wind them on it tends to stretch or damage the fibers inside so the curves and twists remain .Secure the base with duct tape and spiral the trunk around and place a coated wire or tape /bandage at intervals up the trunk.The method used on junipers is where i got the idea to tackle the cedars , next is a 1200mm Pinus Nigra .I will use a steel dowel {coat hanger rod} for the pine Cheers Alpine