There hasn't been wire in this spot showing damage for quite some time. I have been trying to twist this branch somewhat though. Is this bark damage perhaps caused by twisting? Seem like it popped up overnight but I'm assuming that is not the case. Any idea if it will heal itself, or if I need to use a wound dressing of some sort? Thanks for any advice you might have.
Twisting damage?
- Thread starter Middeke01
- Start date
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Hard to guess the cause from the photos. Even harder when we have no idea of your location. Location can give clues to what pests might be around and also what time of year it is in your area.
You mention trying to twist this branch. Have you tried twisting that branch at that point where the damage is? There's no wire there to support the twist so I'm wondering how and why you have been trying to twist the branch.
There are a couple of much older scars. Are they part of the question? Do you know what caused those?
Also when did you wire and bend or twist? Bending juniper while they are growing can cause bark to slip and may even kill a branch. Much safer to bend juniper when they are not active - later summer through winter.
There also appears to be some very faint wire marks from previous wiring. Maybe that's something else but do you know if this branch has been wired before?
If the damage extends right around the branch it shows up when the entire end of the branch turns brown a few weeks after the damage occurs, but small areas of damage like this can stay hidden under the bark for many months, sometimes several years before the growing bark peels off to show it.
The edges of one hole in the bark appear to be frayed which could point to animal or bird chewing the bark. That could also explain why it has appeared overnight.
Small scars like these heal up pretty quick, especially if the branch is allowed to grow. I'd guess those holes would heal over in a year. Wound dressing might speed that up by a few months but definitely not essential.
You mention trying to twist this branch. Have you tried twisting that branch at that point where the damage is? There's no wire there to support the twist so I'm wondering how and why you have been trying to twist the branch.
There are a couple of much older scars. Are they part of the question? Do you know what caused those?
Also when did you wire and bend or twist? Bending juniper while they are growing can cause bark to slip and may even kill a branch. Much safer to bend juniper when they are not active - later summer through winter.
There also appears to be some very faint wire marks from previous wiring. Maybe that's something else but do you know if this branch has been wired before?
If the damage extends right around the branch it shows up when the entire end of the branch turns brown a few weeks after the damage occurs, but small areas of damage like this can stay hidden under the bark for many months, sometimes several years before the growing bark peels off to show it.
The edges of one hole in the bark appear to be frayed which could point to animal or bird chewing the bark. That could also explain why it has appeared overnight.
Small scars like these heal up pretty quick, especially if the branch is allowed to grow. I'd guess those holes would heal over in a year. Wound dressing might speed that up by a few months but definitely not essential.
Thank you. I am near St. Louis, MO. I am wondering if it was a bird or something as well. I was however applying twisting during the curve fairly often trying to flatten out a pad that I was hoping to develop as one of the branches was towards the bottom. I should have just removed that branch probably. This was wired before but I had not noticed any damage when removing old wire. I think did wire and make these bends during growing season, so maybe that caused damage underneath the bark that is now exposing. I may try wound dressing, not sure. Thanks for your help
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Twisting is possible. I use it often but there needs to be wire to support and hold the twist so wire will go right through the area you need to twist and preferably out onto side branches as anchor points to help hold the twisted branch inside the wire. Wire the branch as normal but wind the spirals so that they will tighten as you twist because loose wire does little to support the branch.
Attmos
Chumono
Is it possible, or... is it common, to MAKE scars on a tree? It seems like everyone wants to raise blemish-free trees, but I like the look of a tree that's seen some hard times during its life.
Desert O'Piñon
Omono
That's my idea, too. I have scars on my body, and on my heart. They're part of my story, but not the whole story. What story are we trying to tell in our art?
stubmle
Mame
Of course! Just look into shari techniques. Lots of people carve or scarify the bark to make deadwood features. Done well, it can look very good.
Off the top of my head, our own @BobbyLane and @Cadillactaste come to mind- they both have some very nice trees with significant scarification or trunk hollowing. @Cajunrider has been doing some interesting things with bald cypress as well- splitting trunks, crazy bends. I think he even shot one!
In my opinion the main problem with wire marks is that they tend to look very artificial, which can distract the viewer.
BobbyLane
Imperial Masterpiece
Its more common with enthusiasts across Europe/UK. Yes its possible. Look up Graham potter on youtube.
Attmos
Chumono
Man... I like this Graham Potter guy. Thanks for the suggestion.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Welcome to the dark side. 
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Wire marks...can be used in the Cosmic design...with enhancement of the wound. From my understanding. Other than that...I do agree.
Thanks for the tag...love scars on deciduous trees.
Attmos
Chumono
Funny you say that because I was going to ask if the scar in picture #4 was created to hide a little wire bite. (which would be one good way to use scarification)
Regardless, yeah... all of these trees have character that appeals to me. Pretty damn cool. Did you inflict these wounds?
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Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Only on image 4. I went in and carved out the scarification I added earlier this year. No wire scars. But scars on the base I enhanced. One image before I added it. And then after the initial scarification .
And a link to a recent snippet of footage of it being carved more.
15 reactions | Ha! Let's get all into that trunk. As I go in close and then turn it to expose more of that hard to understand base. That base...had me truly stumped when it was in auction. To the point.I had to buy it to figure it out. Curiosity kil
Ha! Let's get all into that trunk. As I go in close and then turn it to expose more of that hard to understand base. That base...had me truly stumped when it was in auction. To the point.I had to...
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Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
The first image...the damage was sustained by a grass torch. The Japanese maple once was part of a forest planting prior to the incident.
Second image...is my yamadori Hawthorn. So nature did its work there...
Third image...the tree came with damaged bark. I was on the wall about it. Health wise . It had lost a main branch that winter as well with the previous owner. Winter damage? Unsure...I think he said it came with cracked bark. We had gotten a lot of rain...the cracked bark became loose and fell off. Leaving natural shari.
Fourth image and...last image. The story that come with the tree. I no longer trust . So it has no history .
