Branch splitting to set branches. Do you do this?

[NamesakE]

Going through a (older) book I was given on bonsai and came across this snippet. Has anybody else tried this? Seems like it only work on pines or maybe junipers because of the scarring.

 

[leatherback]

I have done this on big juniper branches. Works well. Intend to do this on a 3 inch pine trunk.

I think for branches as theones shown in the pictures it is overkill

 

[Potawatomi13]

No. Personally use notching as better alternative.

 

[Shibui]

I've used this technique but not so much to set the bend, rather to actually make the bend. Junipers get really stiff as the branches thicken so almost impossible to bend. Splitting the branch or trunk allows bending in places that otherwise would not.
The drawback is scarring.
I tied my first attempt tightly to hold the pieces together so they would heal but as the trunk grew it thickened above and below the tie leaving ridges round the trunk. If it is untied before the splits have healed the callus pushes the pieces apart leaving longitudinal scars.
I've tried it a a few times with other junipers since.

I was told this splitting technique was suitable for junipers but not for pines. Not sure why the difference or whether that is correct.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

On junipers, yes. On pines, it works well to make a wedge cut.

 

[NamesakE]

Very cool thanks! The picture shows it being done to a pine so I was wondering. Does using a wedge cut makes a noticeable scar?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Very cool thanks! The picture shows it being done to a pine so I was wondering. Does using a wedge cut makes a noticeable scar?

It can if it’s not closed well. The example I posted above is pretty extreme, but it is still alive. I’ll share an update at some point. It may creat a bulge at the base of the V but the position of that would place the bulge directly to the front and shouldn’t be too bad.

The other way to do it is to cut the wedge on the outside of the bend, where the branch exits the trunk. This dislocates the branch, and it’s still attached on the inside of the bend. It looks very natural, imagine a pine branch cracking under the weight of heavy snow. It is easy to position, heals predictably well, and adds a lot of character. Old post shows this, somewhere I may have a better photo.

"V" Notching Made Easy

Was asked to start up a thread dealing with "V" notching, a technique which really is one of the best and easiest ways to change the angle of a large branch. I can't tell you how many times I have used this technique, it is very simple to do. For me, I think the term "V" notching is...

www.bonsainut.com

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I did this to a juniper trunk last year, but it was still too rigid to be bent.
:-(

 

[NamesakE]

It can if it’s not closed well. The example I posted above is pretty extreme, but it is still alive. I’ll share an update at some point. It may creat a bulge at the base of the V but the position of that would place the bulge directly to the front and shouldn’t be too bad.

The other way to do it is to cut the wedge on the outside of the bend, where the branch exits the trunk. This dislocates the branch, and it’s still attached on the inside of the bend. It looks very natural, imagine a pine branch cracking under the weight of heavy snow. It is easy to position, heals predictably well, and adds a lot of character. Old post shows this, somewhere I may have a better photo.

"V" Notching Made Easy

Was asked to start up a thread dealing with "V" notching, a technique which really is one of the best and easiest ways to change the angle of a large branch. I can't tell you how many times I have used this technique, it is very simple to do. For me, I think the term "V" notching is...

www.bonsainut.com

Great write-up especially because i just got my first pine to practice on (after Christmas live "Christmas tree" sale. A black hills spruce) What does the rest of that point look like? The needle length is is really nice and short!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Great write-up especially because i just got my first pine to practice on (after Christmas live "Christmas tree" sale. A black hills spruce) What does the rest of that point look like? The needle length is is really nice and short!

Not sure what you mean about “the rest of that point”?
Also, black hills spruce is a spruce, not a pine, so they shouldn’t be treated like pines.

 

[Shibui]

I did this to a juniper trunk last year, but it was still too rigid to be bent.

Bendability will obviously depend on the size of the branch/trunk. I have split larger trunks into 4 or 6 sections to make them pliable.

Going through a (older) book I was given on bonsai and came across this snippet. Has anybody else tried this? Seems like it only work on pines or maybe junipers because of the scarring.

Can you check the book please. The pictures are not quite clear enough to be certain and can't see all the text but that does not look quite like a pine. Possibly spruce or cedar?? Does it actually mention pines or other species suitable?

 

[NamesakE]

Not sure what you mean about “the rest of that point”?
Also, black hills spruce is a spruce, not a pine, so they shouldn’t be treated like pines.

Should've said "rest of that pine" (in your pictures). Poor spellchecking on my behalf. And thanks for the clarification, I still tend to group those two, bad habit I should break.

 

[jeremy_norbury]

Indeed - I've never split branches but I've notched stuff to bend it.

 

[NamesakE]

Bendability will obviously depend on the size of the branch/trunk. I have split larger trunks into 4 or 6 sections to make them pliable.


Can you check the book please. The pictures are not quite clear enough to be certain and can't see all the text but that does not look quite like a pine. Possibly spruce or cedar?? Does it actually mention pines or other species suitable?

It might be a spruce it doesn't say. This is the best picture I have.

 

[Shibui]

Apologies. I thought you were reading the actual book.
Just beware of assuming anything with needle foliage is a pine. many different conifers have superficially similar foliage but sometimes quiet different growth characteristics.