Using embedded screws in the trunk

[Cajunrider]

What is your opinion on using screws or rods to effect movements in the trunk of a bonsai? These screws/rods will be sunk into the trunk and the scars will cover them. The screws will remain in the trunk permanently. I have seen that done a few times and like the method for some specific cases. I'd like to know if that would be something you would do.

 

[johng]

I use screws routinely as anchors for guy wires but they typically get removed at some point. I am not sure it would be a big deal to leave them permanently.

 

[Cajunrider]

I use screws routinely as anchors for guy wires but they typically get removed at some point. I am not sure it would be a big deal to leave them permanently.

I have seen that in some of your work and am practicing the same. As for embedding, I have a case of twisted trunk where I have two BC intertwining as grown in the wild. However, there are some gap between the trunks. Pulling the trunks together with wire or wrap causes unsightly scars on the trunk. I am thinking about pulling the trunks together with clamps then use the permanent screws to hold them then remove the clamps. After a couple years of growth, the trunk fuse will be permanent. The screws can rust away or remain inside, I don't care that much. This case is one of several that I have in mind.

 

[johng]

I have seen that in some of your work and am practicing the same. As for embedding, I have a case of twisted trunk where I have two BC intertwining as grown in the wild. However, there are some gap between the trunks. Pulling the trunks together with wire or wrap causes unsightly scars on the trunk. I am thinking about pulling the trunks together with clamps then use the permanent screws to hold them then remove the clamps. After a couple years of growth, the trunk fuse will be permanent. The screws can rust away or remain inside, I don't care that much. This case is one of several that I have in mind.

I don't suspect there would be any problems with that approach. Now that I think about it I am aware of couple similar applications but not with BC. Worked on juniper no problem...

 

[Ruddigger]

You could sink the screw head in below the cambium and then cut paste over it. The only issue would be if you ever wanted to carve into the trunk later.

 

[Cajunrider]

These trees were screwed!
Before


After

 

[Maiden69]

I have done it with ficus and BCs, and Ryan has a stream where he screwed 3 ficus together as well. I try to use stainless steel screws, I heard that it is not necessary, but I do anyways. I have also use them as @johng do, as anchors for guy wires, and from the bottom of the trunk to hold the tree into a tile for nebari development.

These BCs were not fusing at the base when I did the repot, so I placed a screw underneath the soil level attaching both together. They died the winter after I did this, but when I was cleaning the soil out for reuse I did notice that they were starting to merge.

 

[penumbra]

Certainly logical and appropriate but species dependent. I wouldn't hesitate with BC or Elm. But I would never do this to a Beech, or a JM. I rough bark pine? Yes. A smooth bark conifer? No.
Just my take and I have never actually done it.

 

[BillsBayou]

What is your opinion on using screws or rods to effect movements in the trunk of a bonsai? These screws/rods will be sunk into the trunk and the scars will cover them. The screws will remain in the trunk permanently. I have seen that done a few times and like the method for some specific cases. I'd like to know if that would be something you would do.

This triggers my PTSD. I'll be curled up in the corner of my room until the scary memories go away. Might take a while. I'm certain a CAT scan would reveal wiring scars on my cerebellum.

My tummy hurts. I'm gonna to need a warm blankie and a cup of hot chockie.

 

[leatherback]

On my trees all metal typically comes out after having server its initial purpose.

There is a spruce where I might leave some very thin, overgrown copper on the branches as removing it would do more harm than good.

 

[Cajunrider]

This triggers my PTSD. I'll be curled up in the corner of my room until the scary memories go away. Might take a while. I'm certain a CAT scan would reveal wiring scars on my cerebellum.

My tummy hurts. I'm gonna to need a warm blankie and a cup of hot chockie.

When I mill a log for lumber, I typically do a magnet check for metal, particularly if the log is collected from a back yard. I've ruined a few blades sawing into bolts left in trees collected from someone's yard.

 

[shohin_branches]

I'd typically try to remove it if possible because I'm a bit absent-minded sometimes and I don't often remember what I did to a tree five years ago. My tree records are a bit spotty.

This is also done in arborculture and is called  bolting because you use a large threaded rod to bolt a splitting tree back together. It's left in place for the remainder of the tree's life

 

[Jrmcmich]

I have done this with garden trees. Had a redbud split in a storm few years back and used a lag screw to join it back. Has about covered the entire screw in 3 years.

 

[River's Edge]

What is your opinion on using screws or rods to effect movements in the trunk of a bonsai? These screws/rods will be sunk into the trunk and the scars will cover them. The screws will remain in the trunk permanently. I have seen that done a few times and like the method for some specific cases. I'd like to know if that would be something you would do.

Often use this technique, always remove the screw when no longer required, very effective in certain circumstances.

 

[Yamabudoudanshi]

I have a tanuki I made with a shinpaku juniper. It's got about about 5 screws sunk in through the whip to anchor it to the deadwood. It's totally locked into the groove as it's fattened up, so it would stay put if the screws were no longer there. However, it's also half healed over the screws so removing them would cause more harm than good. I'm planning on leaving them in.

I don't really see a problem with it in certain situations, and the tree sure doesn't seem to mind.

 

[BrianBay9]

I have done this with garden trees. Had a redbud split in a storm few years back and used a lag screw to join it back. Has about covered the entire screw in 3 years.

Yeah, I saved a J maple the same way.