What is a heel?

cbuzz · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 4:24 pm Post subject: What is a heel?

Hi, I am a glass artist from Oregon, USA and have got the bug to do Bonsai. I picked up a book by Peter Chan (pub. 1987) and when talking about hardwood cuttings, he says "hardwood cuttings are best taken with a heel." What does this mean?

Thanks you.

steve · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: What is a heel?

It's where you leave the base that attaches to the trunk. The picture of the cutting in the book will have something that looks like a foot on it that's the heel. Welcome to the site and to bonsai. Feel free to ask any questions you have it's what we're here for.

jimothy · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: What is a heel?

further to what steve said, in order to take heeled cuttings, carefully tear (rather than cut) a small branch/twig off, taking a little trunk bark with it (you can cut the strip of bark if it looks like running too far down the trunk - you only need a few mm)

cbuzz · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:23 am Post subject: What is a heel?

Thank you both.

steve · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 4:25 am Post subject: Re: What is a heel?

No problem. Nice to see someone from this part of the world on here. Not many of us northwesterners around here.

Tuppence2 · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 11:20 am Post subject: Re: What is a heel?

Nice to meet you, Chuzz. Good luck with the cuttings. I believe the autum is the time for that sort of cutting, soft-wood ones being taken in the spring. Someone will correct me if I'm not correct - perhaps heeled cuttings can be taken at any time?

Penny Smile