growing a tree to make a staff

[surlyjoe]

my kid is crazyy about midievil anything. now he wants a true staff, has anyone ever grown a tree as a staff to get the cool twisteded burl at the end? I have seen real ones, and I doubt they grow that way naturaly.there has to be some bonzai or something going on there. I could dremel out something sweet, but growing it would be memorial..

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: growing a tree to make a staff

I guess if you planted a maple and started to twist it as it grows it might work. It will be a long process.

 

[Ron G]

Re: growing a tree to make a staff

Walnut is a beautiful wood when it is knotty or twisted haeder to work at times and hickory would probably be stronger,am with bob if your planning on planting a tree for this staff your son will be growen before its ready,try going to the woods and find ya a good hard wood tree the size you want ,you can make it a good adventure and outing for you and your son.

 

[Bondo]

Re: growing a tree to make a staff

If you're in a Hurry,.......<br /><br />Start with Box Elder, or a Willow, or a Poplar..... They tend to Grow Fast........<br /><br />I've always wanted to tie a Knot in 1,+ let it Grow that way,...... <br />Just 1 More Thing I haven't gotten around to Yet........

 

[Ron G]

Re: growing a tree to make a staff

I seen somewere and i've been trying to find it,were someone took a tree and wraped it around a rail and let it grew horizontally.

 

[flashback]

Re: growing a tree to make a staff

I have one I cut years ago. a wisteria vine grew around the tree and restricted the growth of the trunk. peeled the vine off and voila, a spiral trunk emerged....

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: growing a tree to make a staff

Mullberry (Asian type) grows quick too and can be twisted bent and tied in knots.

 

[salty87]

Re: growing a tree to make a staff

cedar trees might get you what you want. they have very small root system, really just a couple of main runners and a knot. cut the runners and keep the knot. just need a fairly young and straight tree.

 

[KRS]

Re: growing a tree to make a staff

I'm sure that in 10 years when the tree has grown, he'll still be dying for the staff

 

[tomatolord]

Re: growing a tree to make a staff

"Henry lauder walking stick" also known as a contorted filbert - basically a large shrub that grows twisted branches. You can get them at any good nursery. <br /><br />To grow it out of something else you need a quick growing tree - redbud, willow etc and twist one of the ends - it will take 3-4 years to get the correct look - <br /><br />you could do it to a larger branch or tree - bonsai style - you just need to wrap some copper wire around the branch and give it a twist every day<br /><br />My guess is that the "medievel" people walked through the woods looking for branches or trees that were already naturally twisted from vines or nature

 

[KRS]

Re: growing a tree to make a staff

Maybe they all fought each other over twisted trees, and not power and money like we previously thought... I can smell a discovery channel special coming to life...