The Art of Shaping Trees
By Vanessa Richins
Whether your yard is large or small, you can experience the amazement and joy of a tree that has been shaped into unusual and wonderful new designs.
There are several different forms you can choose.
Bonsai
Bonsai trees can fit into any household. Did you know that these little trees are the same exact species that you would find outdoors? The Japanese have perfected this art of careful pruning and training over the course of many years. if you have the time and lots of patience, you can learn to create your own bonsai.
- A good general book : The Complate Book of Bonsai
by Harry Tomlinson
- For the quirky fun side of bonsai : Pop Bonsai: Fun with Arranging Small Trees and Plants
Topiary
Topiaries are trees and shrubs that have been trained into shapes. Sometimes they are plants that are grown in a metal frame stuffed with peat moss. Other times the actual plant has been guided and trimmed to take on a shape, such as an elephant or a car. Sometimes shrubs are formed into hedges, and trees trained into an arbor.
- Get started in topiary training : Pop Bonsai: Fun with Arranging Topiary and the Art of Training Plants
- New Topiary: Imaginative Techniques
Other Tree Arts
Two of my favorite new sites are Arbor Smith and Pooktre. They both highlight the art of tree trunk shaping. It differs somewhat from topiaries in that topiaries focus on the shape of the tree with leaves. These websites focus on different methods of training tree trunks.
Sometimes people also paint the tree trunks or hang art from the branches.
Have you ever created any of these forms of tree art?
August 28th, 2008 at 2:12 am
I have my dream garden designed around a series of espaliered fruit trees, another art form I am interested in. Thanks for posting this, I love playing with the fun side of gardening!