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As part of my work with nature I graft trees together. The technique is called Pleaching. I influence the growth to form geometric and architectural shapes. These structures can be many trees grafted together, a current project involves eleven trees grafted each to the next up a hillside like a long banister. I work with what are termed inosculate species of trees. Inosculate trees easily graft to themselves. No grafting is possible between different species, as for example between pine and birch. Types of inosculates include not only the fruit trees like Apple and Pear, but also trees like Sycamore, Elm, and Willow. A graft occurs when the branch or trunk of one tree in contact with that of another, eventually grow to form a living union. A union may be formed between branches of the same tree, its branches grafted back to itself. Many unusual self grafting accidents of nature, where a branch grows back into itself or another tree, are see in old orchards, the woods and even urban areas. I also introduce glass, metal, stone, water piping and electric conduit into the trees as inclusions. | |
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