V Notching bottom of branches of San Jose

[A Random User]

Just thought I would share a San Jose Juniper I have been working for about the past 3 years. It has undergone major and drastic changes since it first came into my hands. I split the tree almost down the middle with the help of a very large branch splitter a hammer and chisel and some jin pliers. Which created the deadwood as you see it. No carving tools used...

This tree has 3 major branches coming off of the trunk which have a diameter of a an inch and a half each! The two lower ones a year and a half ago ago were "V" Notched on the Bottom... Reason being, that obviously at their size there is no bending. This past month, seeing that the branches were recovering nicely and there obviously is no die back or loss of the branches, I decided to take it to the next step... What might that be you ask? To repeat the process and bring them down further!

I have managed to move these rather thick branches a very far distance with almost no effort and with very little risk to the tree or it's branches. I chose to do this bending in stages due to the amount of bending I felt was required. It would never have been possible to do it in just one go and due to the branches not having been "V" notched on top, the recovery time was that much faster, allowing for further development.

Now, at the same time I originally did the first cuts... a year and a half ago, I did do a "V" notch on the last of heavy branches. The one that now acts as a continuation of the trunk and forms the apex. On this branch, the notch was actually done on the top of the branch... But then the branch was actually bent up and back towards the trunk. So in essence, would this be considered a top notch? Who knows?

One last thing I think it is worthy to note that to give the tree a more complex design and to take the tree to another level, this tree will obviously now end up with two apexes through the new design. Obviously with one being more dominant.

Here is a pic I found of the tree when I first got it. Thanks!

 

[Cmanz]

Nice progression Sawgrass. Would love to see this tree with a few more years of development on the branches. The dead wood looks good too. Great work and thanks for sharing.

 

[Paradox]

So when you do these V notches, you bend the branch and hold it in place with wire or a guy wire to keep the two sides together. Do you use sealer and or wrap it to help keep it in place ans promote the two sides knitting together?

 

[fraser67]

I'm considering this technique on a couple of my trees. Same question as Paradox. I did try it on a small Spruce I have and it worked brilliantly...but those notches were at the trunk. I'd like to try one on old wood further out on a straight branch (Indian Hawthorne). I really like this tree...coming along. The deadwood looks fantastic!!

 

[A Random User]

When notching or doing any serious cuts, I would always advise using cut paste or what I
prefer... the cut putty. I even will use it on my tropicals, like ficus, for one reason and one reason only...
With any cuts you do, there is always the risk of this area drying out and in turn dying further
away from the cut then you want. So take a second and seal it up.

Now I know very well there are some folks who will say not to use it, because you run the risk
of the area beneath retaining moisture and long term causing rot, or even a place for bugs to
hide... just tell them the whole point is to obtain the tree's moisture until the wound has begun
the healing process... once a tree has stopped bleeding, it has in essence started to heal. Now, I
would obviously leave it on longer, but the amount of time it is going to stay on, will not be in
the slightest long enough to rot beneath.

With most conifers, the wood takes a very long time to rot, so I would keep it on longer.
Pines obviously can take forever sometimes to heal a wound and will bleed for a very long time.

 

[0soyoung]

The two lower ones a year and a half ago ago were "V" Notched on the Bottom

I must ask if your meaning is:

1. you cut a notch into the trunk below the branch OR
2. you cut a notch into the underside of the branch

 

[A Random User]

2

 

[0soyoung]

 

[Vance Wood]

View attachment 70131


Just thought I would share a San Jose Juniper I have been working for about the past 3 years. It has undergone major and drastic changes since it first came into my hands. I split the tree almost down the middle with the help of a very large branch splitter a hammer and chisel and some jin pliers. Which created the deadwood as you see it. No carving tools used...

This tree has 3 major branches coming off of the trunk which have a diameter of a an inch and a half each! The two lower ones a year and a half ago ago were "V" Notched on the Bottom... Reason being, that obviously at their size there is no bending. This past month, seeing that the branches were recovering nicely and there obviously is no die back or loss of the branches, I decided to take it to the next step... What might that be you ask? To repeat the process and bring them down further!

I have managed to move these rather thick branches a very far distance with almost no effort and with very little risk to the tree or it's branches. I chose to do this bending in stages due to the amount of bending I felt was required. It would never have been possible to do it in just one go and due to the branches not having been "V" notched on top, the recovery time was that much faster, allowing for further development.

Now, at the same time I originally did the first cuts... a year and a half ago, I did do a "V" notch on the last of heavy branches. The one that now acts as a continuation of the trunk and forms the apex. On this branch, the notch was actually done on the top of the branch... But then the branch was actually bent up and back towards the trunk. So in essence, would this be considered a top notch? Who knows?

One last thing I think it is worthy to note that to give the tree a more complex design and to take the tree to another level, this tree will obviously now end up with two apexes through the new design. Obviously with one being more dominant.

Here is a pic I found of the tree when I first got it. Thanks!

View attachment 70158

You've done well with this tree. I remember when you first posted it----if I remember correctly and I'm pretty sure I do. It was one of those impossible projects everybody says can't be done but you did it.

 

[Vin]

Stacy, the tree looks great as does all the work you post. However, to me it feels a bit "tipsy" at the base. Have you considered placing a small stone under the notch at the base?

 

[A Random User]

You've done well with this tree. I remember when you first posted it----if I remember correctly and I'm pretty sure I do. It was one of those impossible projects everybody says can't be done but you did it.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Vance! This tree clearly still has a lot of probs still and a long way to go yet,
but has come a long way. I think the most important part is that it has direction now and a path forward.
As far as impossible projects, I just try and do the best with whatever is in front of me at the time. All you can do!

 

[A Random User]

Stacy, the tree looks great as does all the work you post. However, to me it feels a bit "tipsy" at the base. Have you considered placing a small stone under the notch at the base?

Agree, that perhaps this will need to be addressed further. One thing I have noticed about San Jose, is that they will
often have a major root die at the base of the trunk, and it will rot out the base of the trunk. This seems kinda common,
I have seen it on quite a few occasions.

 

[Vance Wood]

It would appear that they are like Mugos in that respect; they tend to posses a segmented architecture where in, particular roots are associated with particular branches; if you lose one you lose the other.

 

[Vin]

Agree, that perhaps this will need to be addressed further. One thing I have noticed about San Jose, is that they will
often have a major root die at the base of the trunk, and it will rot out the base of the trunk. This seems kinda common,
I have seen it on quite a few occasions.

I must remember that as there are plans of a San Jose in my future.