Should you massage your trees?

[GSCarlson]

I found this article online and I wanted to share it and get people's opinions. I had heard along time ago that gently stressing a branch or trunk, to simulate what a wind would do in the wild, would thicken it.
For the past couple weeks I have been trying this on my plants before watering, when the plant is most limber. So far I haven't noticed anything, but I imagine it would take awhile, just as in nature.

 

[Tentakelaertje]

Nuru works better!

 

[GGB]

ive heard this many times and it makes complete sense if you think about it. I don't think slapping a tree once a day will do much, but i always point an oscillating at young seedlings if they're indoors. Keep them from getting leggy if you start young. If had young banana trees (fresh out of winter storage) look like ribbon in the wind and a few weeks later they're unfazed and steadfast.

 

[jeremy_norbury]

Whilst I believe this works for trees, I believe it offers zero to the bonsai world.

 

[sorce]

I think a fan on seedlings is the extent of it's results in bonsai.

You'd have to move the branch so much,
I reckon it would actually grow slower.

Sorce

 

[GSCarlson]

I will conduct an experiment. I want to thicken the trunk between where it leaves the main trunk, and the first branch. Everyday, for 30 seconds, I will gently bend just that section back and forth. After a month I will repost the results.
I don't have an accurate measuring tool, so it will be only visual..

 

[GSCarlson]

Whilst I believe this works for trees, I believe it offers zero to the bonsai world.

From everything I have read trees are an important part of the bonsai world..

 

[Nwaite]

Veeeeery interesting. .....

 

[Nybonsai12]

With the frequency I'm shuffling my trees in and out of the garage they should be massaging me.

 

[MichaelS]

Don't forget the music and the incense sticks. I find pines like classical but maples prefer pop.
But really, It would be difficult to quantify. You would need to take very accurate measurement on a regular basis and also have a control to compare with.

 

[M. Frary]

I've known that mechanical stimulation can thicken wood since I was 14 years old.

 

[Stickroot]

And the time! I wish I had 2 seconds to do anything with my trees except what absolutely has to be done!

 

[Nwaite]

It's not very often that I actually laugh out loud after reading a funny post.... but I just did for a good 20. Thanks.

I've known that mechanical stimulation can thicken wood since I was 14 years old.

 

[M. Frary]

Plus young wood gets thicker faster than old wood.
This observation comes with age and years of mechanically stimulating wood.
I thought everyone knew this stuff?

 

[rockm]

Whilst I believe this works for trees, I believe it offers zero to the bonsai world.

I'd agree. Also, one person's "massage" can be another's definition of assault. Working over a tree branch or trunk every day could actually wind up killing it. I think massaging in nature (by wind, snow) is a process that basically damages the tree's cambium a bit, making it generate scar tissue--hence the thickening.

Bonsai shortcuts mostly don't work. Some can kill your trees, others are useless hokum.

 

[jeremy_norbury]

View attachment 98718

I will conduct an experiment. I want to thicken the trunk between where it leaves the main trunk, and the first branch. Everyday, for 30 seconds, I will gently bend just that section back and forth. After a month I will repost the results.
I don't have an accurate measuring tool, so it will be only visual..

I fear this is an enormous waste of everybody's time.

The only reasonable way to get fat trunks is with fat branches and the only way to get fat branches is with large amounts of foliage...and the only way to get large amounts of foliage is to plant the tree in open ground in full sun.

 

[jeremy_norbury]

Plus young wood gets thicker faster than old wood.
This observation comes with age and years of mechanically stimulating wood.
I thought everyone knew this stuff?

I feel these bonsai truths should be shared more often instead of being hidden in the privacy of your own abode.

 

[GGB]

I will risk starting an enormous sh*t storm by saying .... i did a multi tree experiment, slashing trunks with a razor blade and got the results I wanted. I 'spose I should post the after pics in my original thread. i'll also add that these trees were planted in the ground because, of course, Jeremy is correct. That's the way to do it. But I think you can get some girth in a specific area with the razor blade method.

 

[sorce]

these trees were planted in the ground because, of course, Jeremy is correct.

Was it the razor then?
Lol!

GSC
Seriously......eventually, the wire on that branch is going to stiffen or break.......or something worse......

The only good thing to do to our trees Everyday....is water.....and view.

Back to Masturbation please!

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

I feel these bonsai truths should be shared more often instead of being hidden in the privacy of your own abode.

I'm trying my best to get them out there.