trunk splitting - lets give it a go...

[jason biggs]

Been watching plenty Indonesian kinmen videos lately .... Those 3rd world boys have inspired me ...
I don't understand one word they say but their results speak louder than all else.
I am starting with a fig branch cutting, commiphora (corkwood) stem cutting and a baobab...
This process is quite brutal and the trunk seems to rip a little more than is comfortable, which is why i didn't butcher the baobab roots.
I did the baobab trunk cutting at the top of the tree, trying to get the top section thicker...
Time will tell. Here are the surgery candidates before the process.

 

[jason biggs]

The commiphora has very brittle, weak wood and 2 sections of the root base snapped off... this species roots prolifically, so that shouldn't be a problem at all...

 

[jason biggs]

The ficus (South African wild fig) seems by far the best suited - reckon i will see trunk base widening in 2 years....
immediately there is a centimeter wider at the base without too much carnage...

 

[jason biggs]

don't know about this one?? the deed is done - at least i can just cut the top off if it doesn't work...

 

[SWfloirda]

I watch a lot of Indonesian videos too. I'll be watching for your results!

 

[Srt8madness]

Very interesting stuff

 

[Cajunrider]

I have known of trunk splitting for a long time. Perhaps it's time for me to give it a try as well.

 

[Cajunrider]

Crataegus aestivalis split trunk
Before




After

 

[Cajunrider]

We shall know if the Mayhaw will survive in a few weeks. Next up is a split trunk bald cypress?

 

[Lorax7]

Interesting. I’ve seen trunk splitting before (and even tried it once), but I’ve only ever seen the split done up in the canopy, never down at the base.

 

[jason biggs]

@Cajunrider you guys don't play down there in the bayou... that wedge is massive

 

[Cajunrider]

@Cajunrider you guys don't play down there in the bayou... that wedge is massive

I am really tempted to do the same to a bald cypress to simulate that massive base on a smaller BC.

 

[jradics]

Crataegus aestivalis split trunk
Before
View attachment 495961
View attachment 495962
View attachment 495963

After
View attachment 495964
View attachment 495965

I am definitely interested to see how that heals. keep us informed

 

[Cajunrider]

Interesting. I’ve seen trunk splitting before (and even tried it once), but I’ve only ever seen the split done up in the canopy, never down at the base.

I used to see it all the time in SE Asia. It was common to see people digging up the tree and using a bush knife and a hammer to split the bottom first to 4 and then plant it down. Next year they dig it up and split the bottom to 8.

 

[Cajunrider]

Crataegus aestivalis split trunk
Before
View attachment 495961
View attachment 495962
View attachment 495963

After
View attachment 495964
View attachment 495965

It's been 3 full days. The tree seems fine. No wilting. Time will tell.

 

[jason biggs]

ficus branch cuttings started a year ago. Tops cut off, split all the bases and wired them together at the base... lets see how the fusion process combined with the trunk splitting works out....

 

[irvinlamar]

Interesting. I’ve seen trunk splitting before (and even tried it once), but I’ve only ever seen the split done up in the canopy, never down at the base.

Same

 

[Cajunrider]

Crataegus aestivalis split trunk
Before
View attachment 495961
View attachment 495962
View attachment 495963

After
View attachment 495964
View attachment 495965

Tree remains very healthy but the healing rate is no where near that was seen on the trunk split bald cypress in this link: https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/design-for-trees-that-have-one-dominant-root.60193/page-2

 

[Cajunrider]

Reduction trunk split for better taper?
I am thinking about drilling out the top of a tree, then cut out inverse triangles slices from the top. Then I will squeeze the remaining parts back together to form a good taper. Doable with BCs? I tried to reduce an inverse taper using trunk split with Rainbow eucalyptus and failed miserably.

 

[KateM]

Reduction trunk split for better taper?
I am thinking about drilling out the top of a tree, then cut out inverse triangles slices from the top. Then I will squeeze the remaining parts back together to form a good taper. Doable?

Do it! I guess we'll never know unless somebody tries.
Too bad we have to wait till next spring...