Page 15 - 3 Methods of Tree Shaping
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What the experts are saying about Pooktre’s book.




             Full of useful information, this is no dry text book, and the pictures used to explain
             and demonstrate the various techniques (and to show the finished products) pro-
             vide plenty of evidence that the advice given has indeed been gained from practi-
             cal experience.  As anyone who has worked with living trees will know, this whole
             process must take it’s time, and you must have the patience to work in the long
             term. With the help of this book however, even a novice grower and trainer can
             start with the advantage of many years experience.


             Dr Christopher Cattle grown stool idea with its simple frame, was
             the  least  complex  grown  form  he  could  conceive.  Setting  out  to         Dr Chris Cattle the
             encourage  others  to  ‘grow-it-themselves’  as  a  means  of  promoting         leading British tree
                                                                                                    shaper.
             environmental  awareness,  He  has  exhibited  and  lectured  in  the
             UK,  France and Japan, with growing schemes involving primary schools or other
             educational  establishments  particular  favourites  of  his.  In  this  connection  he
             has  made  contacts  as  far  apart  as  Europe,  Australia  and  Japan,  Canada  and  the
             USA.  The plywood frame used to support and train the growing saplings to shape
             can  be  sent  packed  flat  to  local  enquirers,  while  the  internet  enables  him  to  send
             working drawings to enquirers all around the world.  For more information go to
             www.grown-furniture.co.uk


             This un-usual, modest and compelling book is an important addition to a growing
             (no pun intended) genre of writing concerned with the “how to” of grafting,
             shaping and shaping the growth of living trees.


             Of particular significance is their concentration upon the “shaping zone,” which
             they  define  as  their  principle  working  area.    Manipulating  and  guiding  this
             flexible new growth at the tip of a branch allows for the signature Pooktre style
             of “drawing” the stick figures and frames for which Pook and Becky are known.


             What Pook and Becky have achieved and written about the wild Plum in this  Dan Ladd the leading
             book are invaluable lessons and observations that will be much appreciated by      American tree
             anyone wanting to work with trees. A debt of gratitude should be offered for the      shaper.
             hard won wisdom, tricks of the trade and short cuts they so generously offer.
             We hope they share again in the future as much about the Sycamore, dogwood, and Oak, and in as
             delightful a fashion!


             Dan Ladd has worked on tree grafting projects in temperate zone North America for
             33 years. He has done botanical architecture tree grafting projects nationally, a few
             examples being the UC San Diego Art Gallery in LaJolla California, a project with
             the Studio for Creative Inquiry at Carnegie Melon for the City of  Pittsburgh, two
             pieces for the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville FL as well as many others
             for Museums, Science Centers and private commission. He has and continues to teach
             lecture and consult. The scope of his work may be accessed at his website
             www.danladd.com.




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