How to Bend Thick Bonsai Branches? A Detailed Guide to the Cut-and-Bend Method

When you need to bend a relatively thick trunk or large branch, and pulling or hanging with copper wire, aluminum wire, or palm fiber cord won't work, you can consider this cut-and-bend approach. It is generally done in spring, when the tree begins to bud and sap is flowing normally, which helps the saw cut heal. The saw-and-bend method includes two types: single-cut bending and multi-cut bending.

Suppose this is the branch you want to bend

Use a saw to cut a V-shaped notch on the inner side of the bending direction, with a depth of 2/3 of the diameter. If you cut two or more, it is multi-cut bending.

At this point you can use wiring or pulling to bend it. After bending, it is best to wrap the cut with black electrical tape to keep out water

This cut method can also be used to adjust the overall angle of a thick branch

Cut a V-shaped notch at the base of the branch

Then you can pull it down and bend it. With this method, you can control the bending point and angle

Of course, you can also make the cut on the outer side of the bend, but after bending you need to insert a suitable wooden wedge into the gap, then wrap it with sphagnum moss, so that the wound can gradually heal without leaving a large notch

The three images below are an example. This is a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). Its short branches break easily, so cuts are used to assist.

The branch to the right of the pull wire was given extra bends; the cuts cannot be seen from this angle. After half a year it had mostly healed.

From this angle it can be seen more clearly.

These three images are another example. This is an elm tree.

The first image was taken in the summer of 2005, and the last one was taken in the spring of 2006.