Q. Smithy.

If i wanted to make a jin of a live branch of an evergreen like a juniper but in a different shape than the one it is in do i wire it with bark on and some green to keep the cambium growing in order to set the branch or can i strip the branch and wire it bare.

A. Keithmart.

Strip the bark now and roughly carve it. Wrap some aluminium foil around it and heat it with either a candle or blowtorch. This will allow you to bend the jin as you wish, and then finally carve it to a final shape.  Make sure you do not heat the live bark.

Q. Smithy.

So are you saying that when its heated it can be bent and then when it cools it will stay in new place.

A. Keithmart.

Exactly.

Stymie.

A completely dry dead branch can be re-positioned in the same way.

I first wrap it with wet tissue (toilet roll is okay) then wrap the foil around the outside.  The heat makes the moisture in the tissue boil and steam.  Its almost like softening the wood in a pressure cooker. Hold the branch in place with pliers, its hot.  When cooled down the branch is fixed in the new shape. Magic!.

Q. Smithy

That is magic. I will be trying that out some time. I guess that is how some of these junipers with amazing deadwood are made.

Has anyone got an example of one they have done?