aframe
Shohin
This topic came up in one of Mr. Schrader's awesome pine progressions, and I was asked by another member to post my results. Mr. Schrader has pointed out that this method can/may lead to a 'manufactured' pattern in the bark; it could be that this procedure was developed by bonsai nurseries to develop stout shohin pines (not a lot of exposed trunk features) in the shortest amount of time. I used it because I wanted to create taper and have full control of the trunk's movement throughout the design. I have not seen this process the whole way through, but i'll continue to post follow-ups unless this proves to be absolutely worthless.
It should be noted that if left unchecked, this can cause reverse taper if a very short amount of time; the trunk will bulge more quickly on younger growth (more vigorous growth) than lower on the trunk, so it's a good idea to unwrap the wire, from the top down, through out this process when an "upper-section" had bulged as much (hopefully not more) as the section below. Also some ample thought into strategic placement of the wire will help produce more favorable results: wires create indentations, and bulges form above wire. This is a whole discussion in of itself, albeit a short discussion.
Not saying I nailed it here...but there is a start of decent taper and barking.
It should be noted that if left unchecked, this can cause reverse taper if a very short amount of time; the trunk will bulge more quickly on younger growth (more vigorous growth) than lower on the trunk, so it's a good idea to unwrap the wire, from the top down, through out this process when an "upper-section" had bulged as much (hopefully not more) as the section below. Also some ample thought into strategic placement of the wire will help produce more favorable results: wires create indentations, and bulges form above wire. This is a whole discussion in of itself, albeit a short discussion.
Not saying I nailed it here...but there is a start of decent taper and barking.