Page 176 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

176 Creating your own bonsai

Shape the top of the tree

Tubing protects the tree from
damage when wire is pulled tight
17 Consider using guy wires
to shape the upper trunk.
Here, the trunk needs to be
compacted back toward the
right-hand side, and guy
wires are a less intrusive
than heavier wire. Identify
a point on the main trunk
where the guy wire can be
attached that will not tear
away when pulled. Thread
a length of copper wire
through rubber tubing and
ensure the wire tails are
the same length.

18 Select a fixing point at
the base. This is where the
two ends will be tightened.
Twist once to secure Slit one side
Never tighten the guy wire the wire but do not of the tubing
halfway along, always at choke the trunk to allow access
one end or the other. to both ends
of the wire
17 18
19 Hold the tubing in place
and use pliers to pull the
wires tight. Stop pulling
when tension has been
achieved, then twist
clockwise until taut. When
using a guy wire, always
use one hand to move the
branch—or ask for a second
pair of hands—and tighten
with the other so that when
pulling the wire taut, you do
not move the branch as well.
Here, while the pliers hand
pulls to achieve tension, the
other hand bends the trunk
toward the base.

20 When the branch is in
position, use a piece of
chopstick and twist the
guy lines together to
hold the branch in place.
Do not overtighten or the
wires may snap. 19 20