tree bending

[mrche]

Hi apologies if this sounds like a stupid question. 

 

I have a Sycamore tree, probably around 20-40 years old. Its all growing fine, but the crown is quite tight. Id like more horizontal branches for future use.  Is it a thing to bend out the crown?  Im thinking attaching ropes to the outside branches and bending the branches out. pinning them down with rope. Is this a legitimate way to reshape the tree or will the branches resume there original shape once the rope is let off tension.  If so how long would the branches need to be pinned down for? 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2023 by mrche
misclicked, never got to finish

[sime42]

Interesting topic. I'm not aware of it being a thing to bend out the crown of a tree, other than for fruit trees where I think it's a technique that's used sometimes, to increase yield and to make harvesting easier. No reason why it can't be done with other trees though.

 

The method you suggest sounds as good as any. The branches won't resume their original shapes once the tension is relieved, as long as it's left long enough. Though new shoots, young branches will always revert to vertical if left to their own devices. Have a look for images of old, grown-out laid hedges - theres lots of near horizontal tree trunks around the place. Testimont to the lasting effect of what you want to do

 

You can even grow chairs from sycamore!

 

Front Page - Full GrownFull Grown

FULLGROWN.CO.UK

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Combining ancient techniques with modern technology we grow furniture. We graft, nurture then harvest living trees into...

 

[Steve Bullman]

Do a bit of research on niwaki techniques. Basically large scale bonsai 

[Stere]

Yeap will work as mentioned  above common technique in japan:

 

https://www.rowsetreeservices.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Discovering-Niwaki-PDF.pdf

 

 

I like the quality hand tools they use:

 

 

 

[Steven P]

8 hours ago, Steve Bullman said:

Do a bit of research on niwaki techniques. Basically large scale bonsai 

Was just about to say that. There are loads of examples of smaller trees and other species - such as the bonsais but hawthorn and other hedge trees, fruit trees - apples are often done as espaliered which is a kind of fan

[sime42]

I saw some full on bonsai laid hedges recently, in Hawthorn. They were alive and complete with constituent parts like pleachers, stakes etc.There were several, displaying different regional styles. On a Hedge Laying Association stand at a country show. Very cool, wish I'd got some photos.

[Stere]

David Nashs  example of tree bending is  being killed by adb now unfortunately...