Page 15 - 3 Methods of Tree Shaping

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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