Wet or Dry Bending tis the Question

[Hump]

For the more experienced benders/wire'ers, do you normally let your tree dry before bending or do you water first?

I've been told both, and can find supporting evidence of both online.

 

[penumbra]

Those references have nothing to do with the watering of a live plant. Green wood referred to is fresh wood and dry wood is seasoned wood.
It would wire first and then water, but I'm not sure it makes much difference with most plants.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

If it would matter, and I think it matters very little, I'd prefer dry. Because when it's on the dry side, cells lose their turgor pressure and they're less likely to burst. Bark should be less likely to fall off, and the wire would fit more snuggly after a good watering.
But I agree with Penumbra, I think this is about limber or woodworking wood, and not live plants.

 

[leatherback]

I soak big branches prior to bending (Think inch+ juniper branches) so the bark is flexible and deadwood is nor brittle-bone-dry.
I let trees where I want to wire young branches on decuduous in spring go dry to near wilting. WIre and water straight after.

 

[penumbra]

I soak big branches prior to bending (Think inch+ juniper branches) so the bark is flexible and deadwood is nor brittle-bone-dry.

I have veryfew junipers to work with. Not a fav but I know I will be working some in a couple years as I have some in a bed growing out. I will certainly keep this in mind. Actually I do have one that needs a lot of work .... maybe.....