Virtually a whole day was spent on the tree, thinning out the foliage and reducing the shoot lengths to produce a more compact image. In addition several smaller branches which were not required for the image were removed.
Some of the remaining thinner branches were re-wired and adjusted in position. Two of the thicker branches around mid height of the tree also needed some adjustment and this was accomplished using wire tourniquets off a lower branch.
Detailed view of the carved deadwood elements of the main trunk line can be seen on the photo on the right. You can also see the tourniquet wires on the left hand side of the tree

In September of 2004 some more refinement work was carried out on the deadwood elements of the tree. What was needed was more visual shadow within the holes and crevices of the deadwood sections.

This was achieved by using a gas torch which produces a fine pencil thin flame. The wood surface was burnt to produce charcoal which was then “brushed out” with a wire brush. This technique produces the darker areas of “shadow”. After all the deadwood areas were treated with lime sulphur to preserve the wood. Detailed view of the carved deadwood elements of the main trunk line is shown on the right. The contrast between the darker hollow areas and the lighter surface areas is now much more dramatic .

The photo on the right was taken April 2005.