Start off by covering the base just below the trunc with raffia, canvas, cocos or any othe rnatural fiber un-stained cloth material. This will protect the bark against too mu marking. Then wire the unsplit section with strong wire, oin nice neat loops. This will stop the split from moving down towards the roots when working on the split section. Make sure the wire cannot slide down.
To create 2 separate trunks above the split, you have a few options:
- wiring (If the first attempt did not work, it merely means the wre was not strong enough. This is preferred, as you can create the shape and direction you want
- Pulling wires (You can pull one side of the trunc down to the pot's rim on the right, the other on the left). This is less favourable, as you do not have a lot of control on the direction
- Inserting a wedge. Not to fafourable, as you will most likely create a somewhat artificial separation
- Inserting a single pushing 'bar' between the trunks. 1/3 up the trunc from the start of the split, push a piece of wood in between, pushing both truns apart. This will create a smoother line in the trunc, as lower down the trunk is tronger, and will move less eaasily as in the upper section: A curve should be formed in the trunk. Make sure to first tape the part of the trunk where the bar is to be inserted, in order to reduce damage.