A branch (or the trunk) can be looped and held in position by a
loop of tape or raffia to a lower part. A trellis or wire cage can
be made easily and the bends tied to the desired positions. The
pliable trunk or branch can be held in temporary position round
a template to take any shape desired. Or a U-bend can be shaped
into a branch by a light weight suspended in the centre of the
U-loop and the two upper bends held up. Another simple but
remarkably effective way is to use a length of wire and coil this
very lightly round the stem and branches concerned; the whole
tree can then be bent to the formation desired, carefully, but quite
easily, and the coil will hold the tree in position. The coiling
should not be too tight or there may be difficulty in removing it,
which is done by cutting away and unwinding section by section.
The gnarled and twisted effects common to some trees of great
age can be secured by a very gentle twisting of the trunk which is
done when branches are secured for shaping, so that it is held in
that position. In fact, the little seedling can be regarded as a
pliable medium which can be developed to fit any reasonable
shaping or pattern desired providing it is treated with gentleness
and care.
Unusual semi-transverse effects are obtained by coiling and
binding with string with wide margins between the coil. Where a
normal-surfaced bark is required, a little guard is placed over
the stem where any loop of holding raffia or ribbon occurs.
WHEN READY FOR TRANSPLANTING
The three operations just described are continued for the whole
of the second year of growth. It is this year's work which decides
the ultimate appearance and success of the miniature tree. At
the end of the second year it will have reached its earliest maturity
and can be transplanted into the minigarden, although it is better
for being at least another year older. In its third and fourth years
the tree will, in most cases, need a little further root pruning and
pinching off in the spring. If it has been transplanted at two
years it will need very careful removal from the minigarden to
attend to this judicious pruning.
The tree will reach maturity when it is about five to six years
of age and, normally, will require very little attention after this.
Perhaps just a little gentle pinching out during the spring growths.
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