Re: Arborsculpture

**C* B* <c*@twcny.rr.com>**

Hi all,
Doing arbor(i)sculpture could likely be seen as some kind of  
compulsion/obsession or other relatively harmless diagnosis. Topiary  
is fun and has design value sometimes. If it gets out of hand it's  
probably even more fun. Espaliers can be very practical. I have a 3  
foot wide strip between a driveway and a fence where I grow many  
upright shrubs such as calycanthus and viburnum that I wouldn't have  
room for otherwise.  They're pruned into informal fan shapes. Espalier  
fruit trees are very productive for the space they take. I tried to  
grow a Belgian fence of pear trees but found I completely lacked the  
will and discipline required, so I have to admire anyone who can do it.
Happy 2009!
Carol Bradford
Syracuse, NY, USA

> On Jan 6, 2009, at 10:20 AM, gardenwriters-request@lists.ibiblio.org
> wrote:
>
>> O.K. if arborsculpture really is tree abuse, is Bonsai, Espalier
>> and Topiary
>> also tree abuse ?
>> If not why not ?
>
> Sure they are tree abuse. Bonsai is similar to foot binding and
> binding of baby's skulls.
> Espalier is trying to bend trees to human will.
> And topiary is just silly human indulgence.
>
> But I do have something positive to say.
> A better word for what you are doing would be arbosculpture,
> rather than arborsculpture.
>
> LarryM axcy
>>
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