Page 76 - Ebook bonsai for beginner

Wiring

Wiring is an essential technique to style Bonsai trees. By wrapping
copper-wire around the tree’s branches you are able to set the shape and
angle of the branches. When wiring a tree, start with its main branches.

Thick branches need thick wiring; as a rule of thumb use wire of about
1/3 to 1/4 the thickness of the branch. Try to wire two branches of equal
thickness with one piece of wire. It is important to maintain an edge of
about 45° when wrapping wire around the branches, providing some
room for growth.

When?

Wiring can be done year-round for most tree-species. During the growth
season branches grow thicker quite fast and as a result the wire will cut

into the bark, creating ugly scars. Check on your tree regularly and
remove the wire on time.

Material?

Using the right material is essential for wiring Bonsai trees. Basically, two
kinds of wire can be used: anodized aluminum and annealed copper. For
beginners it is advisable to use the anodized aluminum, which is easier to
work with and sold at most (online) Bonsai shops. Wire is available in a
range of different thicknesses, varying from 1 to 8 mm (see photo 1,
below). There is no need to purchase all the available wires; buying

1mm, 1.5mm, 2.5mm and 4mm thick wire should be perfect to start with
on most trees. When wiring thick branches it is recommended to wrap
them first with raffia, which will protect the branches from being damaged
by the wire when bending them.

Bonsai wire, and a wired branch to be bent downwards.