I started off by selecting the trees that had the best potential surface roots and cut the lower branches off that would interfere with the bonding with the adjacent trees.




I then made several pairs of trees for easier handling. I taped two spots so that i could remove one end while working on the other in the next steps.




I then grouped them together by attaching all thr groups together near the top. After this i cut the floral tape holding the bottom parts together and carefully removed the tape from the bunch with pliers.

I then straightened out the trunks so that no trunks crossed and the gaps between the trunks were as small as possible. I then wrapped the bottom half with parafilm to help keep the bundle together and keep moisture in.




I then removed the upper floral tape as before and continued to wrap the bundle in parafilm until the entire portion of the trunk i wish to fuse was covered and pressed together lightly. I took care to not break or cover any of the branches sticking out.




Using wet raffia, I wrapped the trunk tightly, tying a knott every turn around to help tighten the bind further and to prevent all the tnesion from releasing should the raffia break later on. Again, i took care to leave any branches in the area unharmed.

Finally, I potted the bundle in a mixture of about 70% pumice, 10% perlite and 15% potting soil. I buried the bundle deeper than I will end up having the tree so that the slugs cant girdle the tree as easily and so that the flare that can kind of be seen in the picture might grow more roots. I added a quarter to the pictures for a sesne of scale.









In the future, if all goes well, I hope to spread out the cluster of branches a bit so that they dont shade each other out.

Looks good! Hopefully they stay alive.

thanks. at this point, I don't know what to expect. I wish they had shown some signs of producing leaves but they are still pretty bare. the cambium underneath is still green so I an hopeful but I really don't know. I have my fingers crossed but I won't be too surprised if the whole lot just die and I have to start again next year with healthier stock.

I guess i forgot to include this. The tree is in the same shape in this picture as before so it should be clear that this is not a project i started long ago.

Hey Aaron,

Are these breaking bud yet? Any sign of life?

nope, not that i can tell. i have given up a lot of hope. I think they were doomed the moment i got them (not too disappointing though since i guess i never got charged for them...). I still have enough hope to water them occasionally to keep the soil from completely drying out. I will try this again in the future but mostly i think im out of this. I hope i am wrong.

How's it going?
I've found this thread very interesting. Thank you for the photos & writing out in detail the suggestions you've read/gleaned from others & your personal expiernce.
I've seen tinfoil used instead of the wire caging you described but, doesn't seem like it'd be as strong. .
Also, the examples I've seen, the leave a empty "hollow" in the center of the spalling grouping, I suppose to gain the image of a huge trunk w/ minimal material?
Is there a ball- park timeline on how long it takes for them to begin fusing?

Hope it's going well!!

floraAdore wrote:

Also, the examples I've seen, the leave a empty "hollow" in the center of the spalling grouping, I suppose to gain the image of a huge trunk w/ minimal material?
Is there a ball- park timeline on how long it takes for them to begin fusing?

Hope it's going well!!

THat is what I have done. I have left the centre open.

Last year I tried with just 2 linden saplings; They fused within one summer..