Jump to content

Tree shaping methods

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Blackash (talk | contribs) at 00:34, 24 June 2021 (Copied content from Tree shaping as base to build a longer article with all the new refs I recently found.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Methods

There are various methods of shaping a tree.[1][2] Some of these processes are still experimental,[3]: 154  whereas others are still in the research stage.[4] These methods use a variety of horticultural and arboricultural techniques to achieve an intended design. Chairs, tables, living spaces and art may be shaped from growing trees. Some techniques used are unique to a particular practice, whereas other techniques are common to all, though the implementation may be for different reasons. These methods usually start with an idea of the intended outcome. Some practitioners start with detailed drawings[5]: 7  or designs.[6] Other artists start with what the tree already has.[7] : 56–57 

Aeroponic culture

Chair created using aeroponic root shaping[8]

The oldest known living examples of woody plant shaping are the aeroponically cultured living root bridges built by the ancient War-Khasi people of the Cherrapunjee region in India. These are being maintained and further developed today by the people of that region. Aeroponic growing was first formally studied by W. Carter in 1942. Carter researched air culture growing and described "a method of growing plants in water vapor to facilitate examination of roots".[9] Later researchers, including L. J Klotz and G. G. Trowel, expanded on his work.[10] In 1957, F. W. Went described "the process of growing plants with air-suspended roots and applying a nutrient mist to the root section", and in it he coined the word 'aeroponics' to describe that process. In 2008, root researcher and craftsman Ezekiel Golan described and secured a patent for a process which allows the roots of some aeroponically grown woody plants to lengthen and thicken while still remaining flexible. At lengths of perhaps 6 metres (20 ft) or more, the soft roots can be formed into pre-determined shapes which will continue thickening after the shapes are formed and as they continue to grow.[2][8] Newer techniques and applications, such as eco-architecture, may allow architects to design, grow, and form large permanent structures, such as homes, by shaping aeroponically grown plants and their roots.[4]

Instant tree shaping

Arborsculpture bench by Richard Reames

Instant tree shaping[2][11] starts with mature trees, perhaps 6–12 ft. (2–3.6 m) long[3]: 196  and 3-4in (7.6–10 cm) in trunk diameter,[3]: 172  which are bent and woven into the desired design and held until cast.[12][13] Understanding a tree's fluid dynamics is important to achieving the desired result.[1][7]: 69 

Bending is sometimes used to achieve a design.[7] If a plant's tissue is bent at too sharp an angle it may break, which can be mostly avoided by un-localizing the bend. This is achieved by making small bends along the curve of the tree. Bends are then held in place for several years until their form is permanently cast.[7]: 80  The tree's rate of growth determines the time necessary to overcome its resistance to the initial bending.[3]: 178  The work of bending and securing in this way might be accomplished in an hour or perhaps in an afternoon depending on the design.[11]

Ring barking is sometimes employed to help balance a design by slowing the growth of too-vigorous branches or stopping the growth of inopportunely placed branches, using different degrees of ring barking, from simple scoring to complete removal of a 3/8"-wide (1 cm) band of bark.[7]: 57, 69 

Creasing is folding trees such as willow and poplar over upon themselves, creating a right angle. This method is more radical than bending.[3]: 80 

With this method it is possible to perform initial bending and grafting on a project in an hour,as with Peace in Cherry by Richard Reames, [3]: 193 [7]: 56–57  removing supports in as little as a year and following up with minimal pruning thereafter.[14]

Gradual tree shaping

"Grownup furniture" by Chris Cattle

Gradual tree shaping starts with designing and framing.[11][15][16][17] These are fundamental to the success of the piece.[16][17] Once these are set up, young seedlings or saplings[5]: 4  3–12 in. (7.6–30.5 cm) long[16][17] are planted.

The training starts with young seedlings, saplings or the stems of trees when they are very young,[5] : 4  which are gradually shaped while the tree is growing to form the desired shape.[18] There is a small area just behind the growing tip that forms the final shape.[15] [19] The shaping zone,[15][19] it is the shaping of this area requires day to day or weekly guiding of the new growth. The growth is guided along predetermined design pathways; this may be a wooden jig [18] or complex wire design.[6] With this method the time frame is longer than the other methods. A chair design might take 8 to 10 years to reach maturity[20] Some of Axel Erlandson's trees took as long as 40 years to assume their finished shapes.[21]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference CottageGarden was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c McKee, Kate (2012), "Living sculpture", Sustainable and water wise gardens, Westview: Universal Wellbeing PTY Limited, pp. 70–73
  3. ^ a b c d e f Richard Reames (2005), Arborsculpture: Solutions for a Small Planet, Oregon: Arborsmith Studios, ISBN 0-9647280-8-7
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference FriendsofTAU was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b c Erlandson, Wilma (2001), My father "talked to trees", Westview: Boulder, p. 22, ISBN 0-9708932-0-5
  6. ^ a b Volz, Martin (October–November 2008), "A Tree shaper's life." (PDF), Queensland Smart Farmer, archived from the original (PDF) on 23 July 2011
  7. ^ a b c d e f Richard Reames; Delbol, Barbara (1995), How to Grow a Chair: The Art of Tree Trunk Topiary, ISBN 0-9647280-0-1
  8. ^ a b US "A method of shaping a portion of a woody plant into a desired form is provided. The method is effected by providing a root of a woody plant, shaping the root into the desired form and culturing the root under conditions suitable for secondary thickening of the root." 7328532, Golan, Ezekiel, "Method and a kit for shaping a portion of a woody plant into a desired form", issued 2008-02-12 
  9. ^ Carter, W.A. (1942). A method of growing plants in water vapor to facilitate examination of roots. Phytopathology 732: 623-625.
  10. ^ Stoner, R.J. (1983). Rooting in Air. Greenhouse Grower Vol I No. 11
  11. ^ a b c Swati Balgi (September 2009), "Live Art" (PDF), Society Interiors Magazine, Prabhadevi, Mumbai: Magna Publishing, archived (PDF) from the original on 25 April 2011, retrieved 17 February 2011
  12. ^ Rodkin, Dennis (25 February 1996), The Gardener, Chicago Tribune Sunday
  13. ^ Oommen, Ansel (15 September 2013), The Artful Science of Tree Shaping, www.permaculture.co.uk, archived from the original on 12 November 2013, retrieved 6 November 2013
  14. ^ a b c Roger, Fox (December 2012), "Artist tree", Better Homes and Gardens Last, p. 140
  15. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference cattlehowto was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ a b c "Living Trees, Living Art". Archived from the original on 28 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  17. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference TheIndependent was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ a b Peter Cook; Becky Northey (2012). Knowledge to Grow Shaped Trees. Australia: SharBrin Publishing Ptd Ltd. ISBN 978-1-921571-54-1.
  19. ^ "Artists Shape Trees into Furniture and Art" (PDF), Farm Show Magazine, vol. 32, no. 4, p. 9, June–August 2008, archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2012, retrieved 2010-05-08
  20. ^ Weston, Sarah (3 October 2006), Axel Erlandson's Tree Circus, Mid-County Post
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tree_shaping_methods&oldid=1030118448"