Tearing a branch off...is there ever a time it's more appealing than using a concave

[Cadillactaste]

This was originally discussing Bottlebrush/Callistemon bonsai which have deep grooves for bark. The point being...to tear it off...leaves a grooved scar that once healed...blends and is practically unnoticeable. With the deep grooves of the bark of the trunk.

Now...I can somewhat grasp that if the branch you need to remove is on the front of your bonsai and you don't want the distraction of a round scar. But...we also have different zones. This person is from Florida...and being in other zones may change healing times of said scar. Just curious if ones have opted to tear a branch off for said scar left behind over a concave cutter.

I actually spoke with this person...to see if they meant to leave dead wood look behind...no...it was to not leave a noticable scar behind on the trunk of the tree.

Thoughts?

PRUNING... Can be severely top pruned, leave some growth on each branch. Wait until new growth starts for any root pruning. With its deep grooves on the trunk it is sometimes better to break the branch away from the trunk instead of cutting it off. Be careful not to allow it to tear too far down the trunk, a small cut, close to where you want it to end may help.

 

[A Random User]

I often will remove branches in such a way to create a very realistic deadwood
and shari... Especially on Junipers
But, would see no reason to do this for the reasons you have suggested.
I am curious who you know in Florida that is doing this ???

I don't want to talk crap about people... But could you imagine seeing a Doctor
for a small cut that doesn't even need stiches, and him saying the best way for
it to heal is by making the problem 10 times bigger and now giving you 25 stiches...

Sometimes folks just like overthinking things and doing dumb stuff !!!

 

[edprocoat]

I have thought about this as in nature trees lose branches this way. Then I think about removing too much and maybe killing the tree.

ed

 

[Cadillactaste]

I often will remove branches in such a way to create a very realistic deadwood
and shari... Especially on Junipers
But, would see no reason to do this for the reasons you have suggested.
I am curious who you know in Florida that is doing this ???

I don't want to talk crap about people... But could you imagine seeing a Doctor
for a small cut that doesn't even need stiches, and him saying the best way for
it to heal is by making the problem 10 times bigger and now giving you 25 stiches...

Sometimes folks just like overthinking things and doing dumb stuff !!!

http://www.dlnursery.com/d&l_nursery_055.htm

An older gentlemen name David...who owns a bonsai nursery down that way. Maybe I'll send the bonsai club down there an email. For he mentioned they bought out many of his bottlebrush for next years convention. Just trying to gather info on trees I like and their care and special techniques that can go along with them.

I had meant to attach a link...sorry about that.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I have thought about this as in nature trees lose branches this way. Then I think about removing too much and maybe killing the tree.

ed

This is when you would use a knife and score the bark not letting it tear down the entire length if it seems to want to go that route.

 

[bonsaibp]

I tear branches off quite often but not to match rough bark when healed. I do it like Sawgrass to create more natural looking jins and sharis. I'll also tear out pieces of wood from the sharis with pliers to add various layers of texture in the deadwood.

 

[A Random User]

On a bottlebrush it might perhaps make a bit more sense ???

The problem with them is that their bark often becomes quite rugged,
and often a channel will form where a branch is... this is to say that the
bark will form a ridge on both sides of the branch, and the branch will
sit down in the valley between them. Where it would be impossible to
remove with a concave cutter without damaging, or scarring the bark.

The problem with doing a procedure such as this is that there is no way
of telling how the material at the base of the trunk is going to give...
One might end up doing damage to the bark they were trying to protect
anyways...

I personally would prefer more control over the situation... In a case such
as this I would cut it close to the bark, then go in with a dremel and carving
bit, to remove and recess the rest. A bit more time, but doesn't leave me
saying, Oh Shit !!!

 

[berobinson82]

I tore off a branch once on a little juniper. It produced a long deep and natural looking shari. I did it because I didn't really care if the tree lived or not; it was just taking up space and I was in a bad mood. Dern thing lived though and the shari looked pretty good, humbly.

http://www.bonsaikuma.com/2013/05/killing-in-name-of.html

 

[Cadillactaste]

On a bottlebrush it might perhaps make a bit more sense ???

The problem with them is that their bark often becomes quite rugged,
and often a channel will form where a branch is... this is to say that the
bark will form a ridge on both sides of the branch, and the branch will
sit down in the valley between them. Where it would be impossible to
remove with a concave cutter without damaging, or scarring the bark.

The problem with doing a procedure such as this is that there is no way
of telling how the material at the base of the trunk is going to give...
One might end up doing damage to the bark they were trying to protect
anyways...

I personally would prefer more control over the situation... In a case such
as this I would cut it close to the bark, then go in with a dremel and carving
bit, to remove and recess the rest. A bit more time, but doesn't leave me
saying, Oh Shit !!!

Yes...on a bottlebrush. Because of the deep groves a round scar looks odd and you can't get a natural look to it. By tearing and if it looks to go long down the tree you then cut that part off. Not leaving a round scar but a natural groove that blends in time to the bark.

Is there any other trees with such dense grooved bark? I think it makes the tree look much older than they are with the ruggedness/dense bark.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I tore off a branch once on a little juniper. It produced a long deep and natural looking shari. I did it because I didn't really care if the tree lived or not; it was just taking up space and I was in a bad mood. Dern thing lived though and the shari looked pretty good, humbly.

http://www.bonsaikuma.com/2013/05/killing-in-name-of.html

End result looked rather cool...

 

[Poink88]

It really depends on the effect you are after. Knowing the result and applying it where it is needed properly is the key. Consider it one of possible "tools" / techniques you can use when appropriate.

 

[A Random User]

Sorry, I didn't even see your link to his site where he
Pretty much says what I posted... regarding the deep
Grooves within the bark...

I still would echo the fact that there are way to many variables
When doing a procedure such as this... especially if ones
Intention is to not create deadwood... I.would still take the
Safer route cutting flush and carving out. Then one can create
Precisely what one wants...

 

[Cadillactaste]

Sorry, I didn't even see your link to his site where he
Pretty much says what I posted... regarding the deep
Grooves within the bark...

I still would echo the fact that there are way to many variables
When doing a procedure such as this... especially if ones
Intention is to not create deadwood... I.would still take the
Safer route cutting flush and carving out. Then one can create
Precisely what one wants...

Like using a wood chisel and exacto knife? I can see your point in the fact of giving it what ones mind eye has for an end result.

 

[A Random User]

No, I use a dremel and small carving bits

 

[Poink88]

The style described is not very different to the technique used by some to create natural looking jin...using jin pliers.

 

[Cadillactaste]

No, I use a dremel and small carving bits

I have a cordless Drexel I use to trim our dogs nails...it's a minimite. Professional groomers use it. Think carving bits for that would work?

 

[Cadillactaste]

The style described is not very different to the technique used by some to create natural looking jin...using jin pliers.

Jin pliers...may have to look into that as well. I love the look of that on a tree...one day I may be brave enough to own one. I also love gadgets...you think that the best route to take?

I see some YouTube videos today...watching both techniques mentioned. The pliers and Dremel.

 

[Poink88]

Jin pliers...may have to look into that as well. I love the look of that on a tree...one day I may be brave enough to own one. I also love gadgets...you think that the best route to take?

I see some YouTube videos today...watching both techniques mentioned. The pliers and Dremel.

You can play around with other tree branches using a long nose pliers. Works equally well for a lot less. Then if you still feel you need/want the slight advantage of a real jin pliers, buy one.