by pa_friendly_guy » Wed Jan 11, 2012 1:45 pm
It turns out that my crazy idea has been done for hundreds of years, Several methods are used and many unusual shapes have been made this way here is a list of trees from wicapedia that have been used .
Species options
Ficus-benjaminаTree shapers when looking for a new tree species to try they generally look for trees that grow well in the area, are less prone to insect damage, and are less susceptible to disease. Any tree species has the potential for shaping. Each type of tree has its own quirks, but they can be understood with time and experience.[14] Some of the trees that have been shaped include:
Acer Maple[15][2]
Acer negundo Box Elder[16][17]
Acer palmatum Japanese Maple[18]
Alnus Alder[2][19]
Betula Birch[15]
Betula pendula White Birch[18]
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus[18]
Fagus Beech[2][15]
Ficus Fig[4][20]
Fraxinus Ash[15][18]
Lagerstroemia indica Crape myrtle[citation needed]
Ligustrum Privet[1][19]
Malus Apple[18][19]
Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa pine[18]
Platanus Sycamore[2][19]
Populus Poplar[15][18]
Prunus avium Cherry[18][2]
Prunus cerasifera Myrobalan Plum[21]
Prunus serotina Black Cherry[21]
Psidium Guava[14][22]
Pyrus Pear[18][19]
Quercus Oak[18]
Quercus suber Cork Oak[15][18]
Quercus virginiana Live Oak[1]
Robinia pseudoacacia Locust[18]
Salix Willow[15][21]
Salix babylonica Weeping Willow[21][15]
Tectona grandis Teak[14]
Ulmus Elm[15][19]
Some of the shapes are great, not buildings so much as neat shapes. The term Pooktre Shaping seemed to be popular. They shape trees into chairs or tables or people or shapes. I think they start with live trees that have a root structure and not cut posts that they hope to root. The advantage to that is obvious, the roots are developed from the start. The disadvantage is the size tree that can be moved and transplanted. I was hopeing to get fairly large posts to root and get some instant gratification. I am an American afterall, lol. The other way takes over 10 years to grow the base trees and then start to graft sides. I don't know if I have that kind of time left. Not that I am Old, but I have had some health issues in the past. I guess the old saying, The Best time to plant a Tree was 20 years ago, the second best time to plant a tree is Today applies to my situation.
PS I love the pictures, isn't that a great idea of using trees for beauty and usefullness
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