Shimsuki,
This is an excellent method for securing a tree with a fibrous root ball like azaleas, boxwoods, etc. It can help tidy up the root ball from having wires exposed to view, and can also help secure the tree. Other good methods using chopsticks are available as well including stretching one across a pad of roots and wiring each end down tightly among others.

Even dimensional lumber is helpful when tying collected trees into pots, to brace the tree where roots might not exist. Boon has a great name for this:

"Square roots method." I will show some photos of these very soon.

Chris

It is basically using a chopstick to secure your wire on than tying it over the roots and nebari. I am still learning but will post more in the spring, maybe even a video, of how its done.

Here are general directions. Set up the pot normally, and bring the wire up the edges of the pot. Put in a drainage layer and the tree and more soil, like you normally would. Leave an inch or so of soil left to go on the top. Shove 3 or 4, depending on size, chopsticks in the root ball. Wrap the wire tightly around the chopstick. Cut the top of the chopstick off and go around and twist the wire and the chopsticks with pliers. That is basically the rules, but I will clarify in spring. Like I said, I just learned it and the satsukis I repotted were not barerooted, so there might be a difference with barerooted trees.

Thanks for the info guys. Now I understand.


I've done that.

Jay