Page 10 - 3 Methods of Tree Shaping

3. Gradual tree shaping

At the other end of the scale to
Arborsculpture, there is gradual
tree shaping. Pooktre have

detailed their method in the
book “Knowledge to Grow
Shaped Trees” and Dr Chris

Cattle has detailed his on his
3 Methods of T
web site and he also sells kits.
www.grown-furniture.co.uk

Gradual tree shaping starts with
designing and framing. Based on

tree lore, Pooktre creates the design, the
supporting framework and then grows the tree
ree Shaping
entirely to that design. These are fundamental
to the success of the piece. Once the design
and framing are setup the young seedlings or

saplings, 3–12 in. (7.6–30.5 cm) high are planted.

Training starts with young seedlings or

cuttings and are gradually shaped while the
tree is growing to form the desired shape. The A living chair grown using the pooktre gradual
actual shaping of the tree requires day to day tree shaping method as detailed in the book
“Knowledge to Grow Shaped Trees”
or weekly guiding of the new growth over
seasons. The growth is guided along predetermined design pathways, this

maybe a wooden jig or a shaped wire pathway. This avoids stressing the tree
and it continues to grow vigorously and evenly.

We at Pooktre feel, it is logical to shape the youngest part of a tree. We have
always focused on the growing tip: this small part of the tree is where it all

happens. The actual tip is stretching out as the cells expand to maturity. This
is where the shaping zone begins.

In our opinion the Pros of gradual tree shaping outweigh the Cons, therefore
we chose to shape our trees using this process.

Pros of Gradual tree shaping

• Even and balanced growth - As the trees are trained before the cells have
set their direction, their growth remains strong and vigorous. The growth

is predictable and even.
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