Modelado definitivo de una sabina: Interesante técnica de doblado de ramas

By David Benavente

This tree was the subject of a demonstration given by a professional some years ago. Since then it was left to grow and was never restyled, so its shape was lost.

Now it's my turn to restyle it. It's a very dramatic tree, but there are some aspects of the current design which just don't work. As the elements which are to be corrected are structural, this won't be a light work-over but a complete restyling.

It's interesting to note that the main branch moves in the same direction after the job as before, but the trunk has been moved in the opposite direction and the general image of the tree has no relation to the beginning. Below you can see all the details of the task at hand.

Front. The base is unstable. The trunk looks flat. The curve is too monotonous. The dead woods point too much towards the front. (see side photo).

Back.

Right side. From here you can clearly see that the jin at the front points straight toward the observer.

Left side. From this side the trunk isn't flat and the base is wide. The problem is that the main branch is pointing straight to the front.

Nebari seen from the left side.

With a slight turn towards the right the base is even better. The only problem is that the first branch now points even more towards the front.

Trunk seen from the left side. The trunk seems a bit straight.

With a slight turn to the right the trunk gains movement and the jin towards the top doesn't point to the front so much. The problem with the first branch is worsened from this perspective.

In order to study the tree it's a good idea to gather up some of the foliage with wire, making "ponytails".

Wood

The jin previously. It's too thick. It's important to maintain the cracked part in the centre as it gives an appearance of age.

The jins are styled with the trunk splitters. First these are forced into the area where we want to open the wood.

Then the splitters are closed, twisted and used as a lever, so that the wood splits following its own vein.

Now the jin looks lighter, more in keeping with the design of the tree.

There are still some edges and loose pieces of wood on the jin.

The area is cleaned with a plastic brush.

After the work. In a few months the wood will start to open, until the texture is the same as the top part.

This part of the trunk will end up towards the front in the new design. It lacks contours, it's too smooth in comparison with the rest of the trunk.

The area is carved with the router to add a bit of interest.

After carving and brushing the area. When jin liquid is applied contrasts will appear which will lend interest to this area.

Bending the first branch.

All the work carried out until now will be useless if we can't bend the main branch towards the let hand side.

The branch is very nice as it's divided along its length, one half is live and the other dead, a beautiful contrast. A branch like this is worth a lot but if we can't place it in the right position…

The problem with bending a branch like this is that the dead wood makes the task almost impossible. We could separate the vein and remove the dry part. This way we would be able to bend the branch, but removing the dead wood would also remove its value. Let's take a look at the correct technique for this case. It's really very simple to apply.

The new front, with the branch growing towards the front.

Detail of the base of the branch.

With the trunk splitters a fracture is created between the vein and the wood, but without removing even a splinter of wood.

A guy wire is placed from the branch to a jin located behind.

After tightening, the branch is now in its place. Take a look at the base of the branch and how it's moved towards the left and accentuated the curve of the middle section.

The guy wire has been changed and replaced with a thinner wire which is less visible.

General view of the tree after the first torsion. I don't think it's enough. I'll bend it a bit more.

After changing the guy wire for one which could resist more tension, and bending the branch a little more.

That's it! Notice how, apart from the change of front the tree will also have to undergo a slight change in its planting position. It needs to be lifted towards the front to avoid being too led back.

Time to start styling the branches. This top branch won't be needed. With it the crown would be too voluminous and there's a perfect branch lower down which can form the new apex.

After styling, still in the original pot.

Final view having been planted in a growing pot to correct the planting angle and favour the growth of the crown.

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