Young Limb Damage

[Attmos]

Has anyone every tried supporting the joints of young limbs before wiring? Like... maybe a dab of something like hot glue, to keep the joint from splitting... or snapping.

Hot glue probly isn't the answer, , but.. I thought I'd ask before starting on my first attempt.

 

[jeremy_norbury]

This is why we use raffia or tape
- wrapped around the branch or trunk prior to wiring,
- make sure that when you bend you ideally have wire on the outside of the bend - adds an extra layer of support to the limb and helps prevent it bursting outwards.


IMG_1186 by Jerry Norbury, on Flickr

 

[Attmos]

Thanks.

 

[Shibui]

Good wiring technique and careful, controlled bending is the best way to avoid separating branches from the trunk.
Very young shoots are poorly attached. They bend easily but separate easily too so take extra care.
Some species bend easily. Some not so easily. Acute angled maple and azalea branches seem to be particularly difficult to change. Sometimes it's much easier and quicker to remove the problem branch and start over with one of the many buds that usually appear.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

If the limb is very young, you can sometimes squash it which makes it split over the length of the limb, that allows it to bend drastically. The healing leaves an ugly elbow but that can be grown out.
Not every plant can do that though, so try first on a unimportant branchlet.

I think, and it was a while ago, someone made a thread once called 'soft bending' or something describing the technique.

 

[Attmos]

I really just want to set the branches at a horizontal angle (ish) from the trunk... to make it look more like a small adult tree. This is what I gather from reading a bunch of posts here.

If it's necessary to let them grow a season or so, to lignify a bit, I'm willing to do that.

I really need to show some pictures.. lol

 

[Wulfskaar]

I really just want to set the branches at a horizontal angle (ish) from the trunk... to make it look more like a small adult tree. This is what I gather from reading a bunch of posts here.

If it's necessary to let them grow a season or so, to lignify a bit, I'm willing to do that.

I really need to show some pictures.. lol

Guy wires might work best for just bringing branches down.

 

[leatherback]

I really just want to set the branches at a horizontal angle (ish) from the trunk... to make it look more like a small adult tree. This is what I gather from reading a bunch of posts here.

If it's necessary to let them grow a season or so, to lignify a bit, I'm willing to do that.

I really need to show some pictures.. lol

Key is in BENDING the branch, and not PULLING down. Hold a thumb so that it covers main trunk and the back of the side branch, so no pressure is put on the joint when bending down. THen GENTLY bend. It might help to slightly rotate the branch, rather then push straight down.

 

[Attmos]

Key is in BENDING the branch, and not PULLING down. Hold a thumb so that it covers main trunk and the back of the side branch, so no pressure is put on the joint when bending down. THen GENTLY bend. It might help to slightly rotate the branch, rather then push straight down.

Awesome. Thanks.
I mean, I know that what you're suggesting is more or less common sense, but it's nice to know what experienced people are doing.