Arborsculpture

Jez · #1 (**permalink**) 29-09-2008, 06:03 PM

Seemed like the appropriate board to post this thread?!?

I'm asking really if any of our members, have dabbled with sculpting living trees & could possibly give me some tips or books you could recommend on how to go about this artform!

Any help at all, will be most appreciated!

Thanks in advance if you could help.

Jez

The Woodman · #2 (**permalink**) 29-09-2008, 06:23 PM

Hi Jez, nice subject.
For many years I've been "knitting" shoots and growths on young trees to form interesting and weird shapes. It all started when I was a forestry student weeding a plantation of douglas firs. I came across a double leadered fir and tied it in a simple cross over knot. The next year, it was still in place and the two leaders has grown upright again. Again, I crossed them over and that was the last I saw of the tree, I still wonder how it looks now.

Live willow sculptures are good fun and can be used in schools and play areas. They are quick to establish and very "tactile".

My latest experiment is a damson tree in my garden grown from local seed (Westmorland). Branches have been curved round by tying down with string but I've struggled to shape the tree as it has sent out sun shoots which I cut down on Saturday.

I've also got a yew that I've grown from seed, now 17 years old, and I've had some real fun with that one. The branches are really strong for their diameter and I tried to bend one by cutting it half way through. It was all going well until the strong winds last year when the cut snapped and I lost the shape of the tree. One cut branch is doing well however. It is occluding nicely.

I don't know if this is the sort of stuff you are thinking about, let me know.

John

Jez · #3 (**permalink**) 29-09-2008, 06:45 PM

Good to know that other members have been doing this sort of thing!

Thankyou Woodman for the speedy reply!

Well what it is I want to have a go at least Tufftie's (another WAB'er) home, which is a static caravan and cover over it, with willow and possibly have a go at making some Arborsculptural bench (that maybe too ambitious ??? I'm not certain how to go about this ie grafting, pleaching , tools required, any books that will help?

A big thankyou, any further suggestions are very welcome!

Jez · #4 (**permalink**) 29-09-2008, 06:58 PM

Here's a nice page I found!

arthur wiechula (1868 - 1941)

Would any of you have read Tricks With Trees, If so would you rate it or slate it?

annmaria · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-2008, 07:44 PM

Its wonderful to read new art forms , good luck Jez.
Woodman could post pics on here I am sure they would be of interest .
Annmaria

Jez · #6 (**permalink**) 29-09-2008, 07:51 PM

Thanks Annmaria.

Naomi has just unearthed a book about living willow sculpture. I'm sure when it's all done and growing healthily into shape I'm sure she'll post piccies up.

If The Woodman would be so kind to post up his piccies too, that will be a real treat!

Cheers Jez

The Woodman · #7 (**permalink**) 30-09-2008, 10:29 AM

Jez
I've just spent over half an hour giving you a bit of help only to submit and find I've been timed out and my reply has been lost.. This is the third time this happened to me i.e. give a lengthy reply in vain. Why does it happen? I know it's not your fault.

I'll try again when I calm down but I do have to do some work now.

Brilliant link to Arbosculptures.

Lancashire Lad · #8 (**permalink**) 30-09-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

...I've been timed out and my reply has been lost...

Don't want to take this thread off track, but when this happens, if you just log back in and then slowly click back, back, back, your reply message will reappear. It's happened to me a few times, and this is the easiest way i've found to get around the problem.

Regards
Mike.

Jez · #9 (**permalink**) 30-09-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Jez
I've just spent over half an hour giving you a bit of help only to submit and find I've been timed out and my reply has been lost.. This is the third time this happened to me i.e. give a lengthy reply in vain. Why does it happen? I know it's not your fault.

I'll try again when I calm down but I do have to do some work now.

Brilliant link to Arbosculptures.

Thanks for going to all the trouble, It had done the same to me only last night

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Don't want to take this thread off track, but when this happens, if you just log back in and then slowly click back, back, back, your reply message will reappear. It's happened to me a few times, and this is the easiest way i've found to get around the problem.

Regards
Mike.

Thanks for the tip