Styling Branches, for the Moment and then SOME

[A Random User]

Thought I would start up another tutorial and discussion on the styling of Branches.
Often when styling a tree I wire a branch and place it for what looks good for the
moment and the initial look of the tree, but will suit a purpose at a later time, and
thus furthering the development of the tree.

I have been told that these procedures looks manmade and contrived, and why would
you not just cut back and eliminate this process altogether. That it would be counterproductive
to spend time on the development of something only to end up later removing it anyways.
So, I will try and answer this and demonstrate some of the procedures that I and a lot of other
folks do all the time.

First let me say that from my experience I have found that far to often it seems a common
practice for way to much being material being taken off of a tree at a given time. Putting not
only the health of the tree in jeopardy, but drastically slowing down the growth of the tree.
How many times do we see trees being brought down to the bare bones with very little foliage,
only to have to wait years to be grown out again, before any work can be further done.
I personally don't think this is correct and needs not be done. I would instead suggest and
recommend one taking baby steps and correcting problems within the tree over time.

I get that not everyone is going to agree with this, is that is fine... But take from it what you
will...

So, here goes...

I often will wire a branch purposely putting a lot of curves in it to either bring back the foliage
and the design in tight, or will wire a branch down with a quite drastic bend in the middle, allowing
me to obtain another pad lower down. Both allow me to not only obtain a very nice looking tree
for the moment but also assist the tree in a number of ways...

I think the most important way which was previously mentioned, is by allowing the tree to
sustain it's health, healthy tree means everything grows faster... second, by doing this it allows
me a place to cut back to at a future time, and lastly it enables me to continue the growth of
the external foliage, thus thickening up the diameter of the branch. In other words I am still
allowing for the branch to run free.


This first diagram is of a branch that has been wired and brought back in with a lot of bends.
This has been referred to by some as "fore-shortening" the branch. Example "A" shows this.
In example "B" one will see that over time, when these interior branches have grown and gained
strength, one is easily able to cut back further in towards the trunk getting rid of any unnecessary
bends, and giving a more natural branch look. In example "C" one then sees the progression and
development of these branches.


The second diagram is the drastic bending down of a branch creating a pad further out.
Example "A" shows this. Now with most trees, they have a tendency to want to grow up towards
the sky. So with this procedure you will find that the tree will naturally want to put out growth
at the top, or very end... just before the bend down. Example "B" shows that once this new growth
at this point has gained strength one can easily cut back to this point, getting rid of the un-natural
bend down. Example "C" shows the progression and development of these branches.

I know that for quite a few folks this is elementary... but thought for the rest it might help.

 

[M. Frary]

Been putting out a lot of easy to follow information for people to read. Thank you Stacy. The drawings are great for us less literate folk too! A picture is worth a thousand words and you sure paint some good ones.