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Old 26-05-2006, 10:03 PM posted to rec.gardens
Arborsmith
 
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Default Live tree trunks shaped into sculptures

Arborsculpture is the word for it. Has anyone played around with it? I
have some nice chairs going in different species, oak, birch and ash.
The best part of this art form is getting a couple of branches to grow
together by grafting.
Harts are something anyone can do, simply bend a couple of branches
(that are originating directly opposite each other on a sapling) up and
tie them on to the main trunk pointing down (forming a hart). Graft
them by slicing off a little bark where they touch each other. Wrap the
graft with some stretch tape and enjoy your hart as it grows. You can
remove the piece of trunk going through the center after the grafts
have formed well.
There was a fellow in California who opened a roadside attraction named
Axel Erlandson. He grew all kinds of shapes from 1929 until the 60's I
was inspired by his work and vowed to carry on. But to really develop
the art form it will require a lot of people trying different
techniques on different species.
I would love to hear about anyone who is giving it a go.

Richard Reames
http://www.arborsmith.com
I am a struggling artist/author who derives income from book sales and
commissioned installations