10-best-trees-shrubs-arborsculpture

Some of the most wondrous works of art are works of nature. Have you ever seen trees that grow up and over a walkway, meeting overhead and seemingly growing into a single tree again? How about shrub in the shape of a heart? A tree trunk that forms a peace sign? These may sound far-fetched, but the art of arborsculpture makes it possible. Arborsculpture requires you to graft and mold multiple bushes or trees into one. You begin by removing the bark from two branches or trunks. Then you press the flesh of the plants against one another and bind them together. Doing so will ensure that the two parts begin to grow together. You can mold and bind the branches to manipulate the tree and force it to grow into almost any shape you like. Some trees and shrubs have pliable branches and trunks that make it much easier to bend and manipulate them. This list covers the 10 best trees and shrubs for arborsculpture:
10. Poplar trees are a popular choice for arborsculpture designs. Beginner sculptors like the poplar tree because it grows very large, very fast. Poplar trees make the bottom of this list of the best trees and shrubs for arborsculpture because they are prone to disease and insect infestation. Imagine growing a great work of art, only to have it die.

9. Ash trees are very hardy and durable. They are strong and grow very tall. They are less flexible than some other trees but they are very strong. It takes a considerable amount of time to bend and mold ash trees because ash is a more dense wood

8. Cherry trees are also a popular choice for arborsculpture. The wood is dark and rich and the trees make beautiful ornamental blooms. Cherry trees are very particular about the soil they grow in and you must keep the pH at an acceptable level. Bending and molding cherry will take some time but the results will be worth the wait!

7. Eucalyptus trees and shrubs are a popular choice for arborsculpture. Eucalyptus is very pliable, easy to mold, and grows very quickly. One drawback to eucalyptus is that it is not tolerant to frost or extreme climate changes. Eucalyptus is mostly found in Australia because the climate is stable and ideal for the plant. If you live somewhere with a comparable climate, a eucalyptus tree or shrub would be a good choice.

6. Oak trees are known for their strength and stability. It takes extra time to make arbor sculpture pieces with oak trees because the branches of oak trees are not limber or pliable. Oak arbor sculptures are very sturdy and can grow very tall.

5. Apple trees are among the best trees for arborsculpture. They grow small and sturdy. Apple trees are from the rose family and have easily pliable branches. The wood of an apple tree is not nearly as hard as oak and can be more easily molded. Apple trees are prone to fungal infection and insect infestation so make sure you spray them regularly with a fungicide and an insecticide.

4. Alder trees are an excellent choice for arborsculpture. They are extremely hardy and can flourish in even the worst growing conditions. They grow tall and strong but are very pliable. They can be grafted easily and they grow together very easily. Manipulating growth to form shapes is fairly easy with alder trees and they are a good choice for arborsculptors who are just starting out. This species is hard to go wrong with because of how hearty they are. They are difficult to harm and you begin to see results much sooner than with other hard-wood trees.

3. Redwoods are known for their rapid growth and long life span. They are an ideal species for arborsculpture because they graft and grow so easily, which makes the sculpting process go by more quickly. Redwoods can grow hundreds of feet tall. The bark of a redwood is easily stripped off, exposing the bare wood of the tree enabling you easy access for the grafting process. Redwoods will require some work to mold and bend as they grow taller so most arborsculpture designs are done in the first 50 feet of the trunk. Redwoods give spectacular results and are robust and long living. This is a really good choice.

2. Willow trees are known for being very pliable. You can bend them and mold them into almost any shape you would like. They are very sappy and once the bark is stripped off they can be grafted and bound in several places at once making the sculpture process go by more quickly. The wood of willow trees is very strong, though not as dense as other trees mentioned here. This is a very good choice for both experienced and beginner arborsculptors.

1. Sycamore trees top the list of the best trees and shrubs for arborsculpture. There are many attributes that make sycamores the top choice. The average height of a sycamore tree is over 100 feet. The life span of a sycamore tree also makes it an attractive choice for arborsculpture. Sycamores grow fast and live for a very long time. They are hearty trees that are easily transplanted without causing any damage to the tree. Your designs will be healthy and huge in no time. This is your best choice!

Arborsculpture projects may take up to 10 years to complete, so make sure you have patience on your list too!

5-simple-ways-live-green

With our nation's landfills bulging at near capacity, our cost of living skyrocketing and gasoline prices constantly yoyo-ing between ridiculous and extremely ridiculous, discovering ways to live green by reducing, reusing and saving is the only sensible solution. To live green, reduce, reuse and save does not require a dramatic transformation. Making changes in your lifestyle to achieve these ends often involves some creative thinking and a little work. But it is not hard work. Here are a few simple ways to institute green living into your home. I hope these projects will spark you to search out other ways to reduce, reuse, and save.
Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB)
 - In and attempt to reduce the amount of rubbish that ends up in the landfill, many retailers are offering discounts off the total cost of your purchase when you bring your own bag. The discount is to encourage their customers to reuse their shopping bags rather than throwing them away. So bring your own bag and save a little on your total purchase. And while you're at it, why not Bring Your Own Cup. A number of coffee shops are also granting discount on the purchase of coffee items to customers who bring their own cup.

Grow Your Own Food - Have you observed the prices of vegetables these days? They are nearly as expensive as meat. Why not try your hand at growing your own vegetables. Doing so would save you fuel because you would not have to drive to the store. It would save you money because you would not have to purchase vegetables at the grocery store. Plus it would help save you from having to diet because working in the garden will increase the amount of calories you burn and tone your body. That's a win-win-win.

Purchase Bulk Packaging - A number of the makers of food stuff, health and beauty aids, and cleaning supplies provide bulk size containers of these items for sell. By purchasing the bulk package and refilling your existing container, you buy less frequently, thus make fewer visits to the store, plus you save money on packaging and products, and you contribute less garbage to the land fill. Sounds like another winner.

Choose to Use Cool - The high cost of heating water has been announced to us all countless times. It is a high cost monthly utility expense.
Why not select cold water usage over hot water usage whenever and wherever possible? When washing dishes, when doing the laundry, when taking showers, when washing the dog, and a host of other ways. Look at your family's usage of hot water and ask yourself, should I choose to use cool?

Recharge those Batteries
- Lets see...there's the MP3 player, there is the portable video game player, there's the digital camera, there is the...the list goes on and on. The number of items you use in your daily life that need batteries is always increasing. How often do you purchase batteries? A lot more than you think when you look at the number of battery operated devices you have around your home. Buy rechargeable batteries instead, and a recharging unit, that way you can reuse the same set of batteries over and over.

There are lots of ways to reduce, reuse, save and live green. Take the bus rather than drive, donating your old clothes and other household goods rather than throwing them away, borrowing books and DVDs from the library instead of purchasing them new. Caring for the environment and your home is all of our concern and not very difficult to do. Let's all pitch in, you have nothing to loose. Perhaps a few of these simple reduce, reuse, and save strategies will help your get started.

Resource: Living Green - Hawaii Home Remodeling - August, 2009