Pie cuts in trunk for extreme bends?

[Dorky_gearhead]

I seen a video on YouTube last week and I was wondering if anybody practices this method?

 

[justBonsai]

Yeah you can use it on branches too thick to wire. I've tried it with varied results. You need to make sure your cut is clean and is deep enough for the trunk or branch to bend. Even worse if you over do it you can end up with a large wound or breaking the branch when bending it.

 

[0soyoung]

Gotta make sure the cambium will (generally) line up or it will be a long, long, time until ...

 

[garywood]

Gotta make sure the cambium will (generally) line up or it will be a long, long, time until ...

Like Naught and Bluesman said plan your cut before you cut. If you think you need, say, 20 degree bend don't cut one side 15 degrees and the other 5. they won't meet in the middle ;-) there will be an ugly union. Get a few 2-3yr old trees and play then you can see what works in a few years.

 

[milehigh_7]

One of my favorite all time threads on doing some big bends: http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/rocky-mountain-juniper-no-guts-no-glory.8478/

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/v-notching-made-easy.15850/#post-211657