Arborscrulpture

Arborsculpture, is a tree shaping craft of training the living, growing wood of cultivated woody plants into ornamental shapes, useful implements, and structures.

Designers choose from among various compliant wood-forming plant species and an evolving array of design options, techniques, and tools to guide and shape living wood tissue as it grows, both above and below ground perhaps bending, pleaching, weaving, twisting, braiding, grafting, framing, molding, controlling light, or pruning to achieve an intended design.

The craft has been practiced for at least several hundred years, as demonstrated by ling root bridges built by the War-Khasi people of India.

Designs may include abstract, symbolic, or functional elements. Some shape crafted and grown are purely artistic, while other designs might yield may of a wide variety of useful implements, such as clothe hanger, laundry bin, ladders, furniture, tools and tool handles.. Large architectural designs such as live archways, domes, gazebos, tunnels, rooms, and entire homes are possible with careful planning, planting, and culturing over time.

The time needed to grow and construct a project depends on many variables, including the size of targeted trees, the growth rate of species, the intended design height, the local climate conditions, and the specific techniques used. A chair design may take 8 – 10 years to reach maturity.

Topiary

Topiary is the horticultural practice of graining of live perennial plants, by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes, perhaps geometric or fanciful.

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The word derives from the Latin word for ‘an ornamental landscape gardener’, topiarius, creator of topia or ‘places’.

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The plants used in topiary are evergreen, mostly woody, have small leaves or neddles, produce dense foliage, and have compact and columnar growth habits. Common species choices used include box ( Buxus sempervirens ), arborvitae ( Thuja sp ), bay laurel ( Laurus nobilis ), holly ( Ilex sp ), myrtle ( Eugenia or Myrtus ), yew ( Taxus sp ) and privet ( Ligustrum sp )

Bonsai 盆栽

a penjing collection at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, this trident maple, Acer buergerianum, has its roots growing over a rock and its foliage and stems timmed in the shape of a dragon.

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Bonsai is from the Japanese word 盆栽 ( literally potted cultivation ), is the art of growing trees in containers. The art of bonsai however was originated from China’s 盆景 penjing ( literally tray scenery ), also known as盆栽 .

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Japanese bonsai is derived from penjing. There are difference between penjing and bonsai , but have been blurred by most practitioners whom did not follow the traditional styling and display guidelines. Most layman do not even know the difference between them !

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Bonsai uses cultivation techniques like pruning, root reduction, potting, defoliation, and grafting to produce small trees that mimic the shape and style of mature, full-sized trees.

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The purpose of bonsai are primarily contemplation for the viewer and the pleasant exercise of effort and ingenuity for the grower.

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Controversies

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While it is without doubt, a bonsai or penjing is a work of art. But one may wander if this extreme ‘stunted’ is a form of cruelty ?

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a collection at the Naional Bonsai & Penjing Museum, this is a dwarf Japanese Juniper, Juniperus procumbens 'Nana'

Nature Fiber - Sisal 苎麻

Sisal fiber is obtained from Agave sisalana, a native of Mexico. The hardy plant grows well in a variety of hot climates. Including dry areas unsuitable for other crops. After harvest, its leaves are cut and crushed in order to separate the pulp from the fibers.

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Sisal is used in twine and ropes, but competition from polypropylene has weakened demand.

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But other markets are emerging. Today, sisal can be found in speciality paper, filters, geotextiles, mattresses, carpets, and wall coverings.

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It is used as reinforcement in plastic composite materials, particularly in automotive components, but also in furniture. Another promising use is as a substitute for asbestos in brake pads. It is also the best material for making dartboards.

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By-products from sisal extraction can be used for making bio-gas, pharmaceutical ingredients and building material.

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Sisal is cultivated for fiber in Brazil, China, Cuba, Kenya, Haiti, Madagascar, and Mexico. Production patterns differ between countries. In Tanzania and Kenya, sisal is predominantly a plantation crop, while production in Brazil is largely small-scale.

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World production of sisal and a similar agave fiber, henequen ( from Agave fourcroydes ) is estimated around 300,000 tonnes. The major producers are Brazil, Tanzania and Kenya.

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http://www.naturalfibres2009.org

Nature Fiber - Ramie 剑麻

Native to East Asia and commonly know as China-grass, ramie ( Boehmeria nivea ) is a flowering plant of the nettle family. Its bark has been used for millennia to make twine and thread, and spun as grass-cloth.

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Coarse ramie fibers are suitable for making twine, rope and nets. Wet-spun, it produces a fine yarn with high luster, suitable for a wide range of garments, ranging from dresses to jeans.

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Fabrics of 100% ramie are lightweight and silky, similar in appearance to linen. The Korean traditional costume, the ramie hanbok, is renowned for its fineness.

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However, since it has low elasticity and resilience, ramie is usually blended with other textile fibers. It increases the luster and strength of cotton fiber and reduces shrinkage in wool blends. It is also blended with silk.

The ramie plant is grown for fiber mainly in China, Brazil, the Lao PDR and the Philippines. Wile it is considered a promising ecological fiber for use in textiles industry, fiber extraction and cleaning is difficult and labour-intensive.

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http://www.naturalfibres2009.org

Nature Fiber - Jute 黄麻

Jute is extracted from the bark of the white jute plant, Corchorus capsularis, and to lesser extent from tossa jute ( Corchorus olitorius ). It florishes in the tropical lowland areas with humidity of 60% to 90%.

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During the Industrial Revolution, jute yarn largely replaced flax and hemp fiber in sackcloth. Today, sacking still makes up the bulk of manufactured jute products.

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Jute yarn and twines are also woven into curtains, chair coverings, carpets, rugs and backing for linoleum. Blended with other fibers, it is used in cushion covers, toys, wall hangings, lamp shades and shoes. Very fine threads can be separated out and made into imitation silk.

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Jute is being used increasingly in rigid packaging and reinforced plastic and is replacing wood in pulp and paper.

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Geotextiles made from jute are biodegradable, flexible, absorb moisture and drain well. They are used to prevent soil erosion and landslides.

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Bangladesh and West Bengal in India are the world’s main jute producers.

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http://www.naturalfibres2009.org

Nature Fiber - Hemp 大麻

Hemp fiber is obtained from the bast of the plant Cannabis sativa. It grows easily to a height of 4m, without agrochemicals and captures large quantities of carbon.

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However, production of hemp is restricted in some countries, where the plant is confused with marijuana

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Hemp has been used for centuries to make rope, canvas and paper. Long hemp fibers can be spun and woven to make crisp, linen-like fabric used in clothing, home furnishing textiles and floor coverings.

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In China, hemp is degummed for processing on flax or cotton machinery. Blending with cotton, linen, silk and wool gives hemp a softer feel, while adding resistance and durability to the product.

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In Europe, hemp fibers are used mainly in the paper industry. Due to lower lignin content, it can be pulped using fewer chemicals than wood.

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Hemp fibers are also used to reinforce moulded thermoplastic in the automobile industry. The short core fibers go into insulation products, fiberboard and erosion control mats, while the fibrous core can be blended with lime to make strong, lightweight concrete.

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The world’s leading producer of hemp is China, with smaller production in Europe, Chile and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

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http://www.naturalfibres2009.org