Bonsai wiring stands as a pivotal technique in the art of shaping and training these miniature trees. By carefully encircling the branches with wire, practitioners can sculpt the tree’s form, aligning it with their artistic vision. However, this process demands patience—the branches require several months to adapt to their new arrangement.
When is the ideal time to apply wire?
Most tree species can be wired at any time of the year. However, for deciduous trees, late winter is preferable due to the absence of leaves. It's important to exercise caution when applying wire during the growing season, as branches can thicken rapidly, resulting in unsightly scars from the wire cutting into the bark. Regularly check your tree and ensure timely wire removal.
Types of wire
Two types of wire are commonly used for Bonsai: anodized aluminum and annealed copper. Anodized aluminum wire is more suitable for deciduous species, while the harder copper wire is best for conifers and pines. If you're a beginner, we recommend starting with anodized aluminum wire as it is easier to work with and readily available in most online Bonsai stores.
Wire is available in various sizes, ranging from 1mm to 8mm in thickness (gauges 20 to 2). There's no need to purchase every available wire gauge. We suggest starting with 1mm, 1.5mm, 2.5mm, and 4mm wires of appropriate thickness. When wiring thick branches, it is advisable to first wrap them with raffia soaked in water to protect them from damage during shaping. Raffia, a palm fiber, can be found in most garden supply centers.
How to Wire a Bonsai Tree
Mastering the technique of wiring can be challenging. When possible, use a single piece of wire to simultaneously secure two branches of similar thickness. This method, known as 'double-wiring,' provides enhanced support for both branches. For the remaining branches, apply individual wires using the single-wiring technique. Before bending the branches, ensure that all the intended branches are properly wired. When wiring an entire Bonsai tree, begin with the trunk and primary branches, then progress to the secondary branches. As a general guideline, select wires that are approximately one-third the thickness of the branch being wired. The wire should possess sufficient thickness to hold the branch in its new position.
In the following sections, we will delve into the details of both double and single wiring techniques, and conclude with instructions on safely bending the wired branches. Please follow this step-by-step guide, ensuring you have the appropriate wire and Bonsai tools at hand.
Part 1: Double Wiring a Bonsai
Begin by selecting a pair of branches that have the same thickness and are located near each other on the trunk. It's important to ensure that the wire wraps around the trunk at least once, preferably twice, to provide stability when bending the branches later.
Once you've identified the branches to wire, cut an appropriate length of wire that can wrap around the trunk and both branches.
Start by wrapping the wire around the trunk, and then proceed to wire one branch at a time. Make sure to wrap the wire from the base of the branch all the way to the tip before moving on to the other branch. The wire should be wrapped around the branches at a 45-degree angle, allowing the tree to grow thicker while maintaining its new shape.
If you intend to bend a branch downward from the trunk, ensure that the wire originates from below. Conversely, if you wish to bend a branch upward, position the wire to come from above.
Once you have finished wiring all suitable pairs of branches, proceed to wire the remaining branches using the single-wiring technique.
Part 2: Single Wiring Bonsai Branches
Similar to double-wiring, ensure that you cut enough wire to wrap around the trunk twice, accounting for the wire's path from the base to the tip of the branch at a 45-degree angle.
When applying multiple wires to the same section of the trunk or branch, aim to arrange them neatly without crossing.
Continue wiring the branch in a similar manner.
Wiring a Bonsai Tree: Illustration (click to enlarge) Try to wire two branches with a single piece of wire, and whenever possible, avoid crossing wires. The illustration serves as a general guideline, but it's important to remember that every tree is unique.
Bending the Wired Branches
Once you have wired the entire tree, you can begin bending and repositioning the branches. To bend a branch, hold the outside of the branch with your fingers and use your thumbs to apply gentle pressure from the inside of the curve. This approach helps reduce the risk of splitting. Once the branch is in the desired position, avoid further manipulation, as repeated bending can damage the branch. For a more natural appearance, consider slightly bending straight sections of branches.
Guy-Wires
Guy-wiring is a technique used to bend branches downward when they are too thick, old, or brittle to be shaped with coiled wire. When using guy-wires, ensure that you anchor them securely to sturdy points such as a robust surface root, a strong branch, or even the pot itself. Typically, a thin wire with a diameter of around 1mm is used for guy-wiring. To protect the branch from excessive force, place a small piece of rubber or plastic between the wire and the branch. For detailed instructions, refer to the step-by-step guide below.
Aftercare
It is crucial to monitor the tree closely during the growing season to prevent wire damage. Within 1-4 months, depending on the tree's growth rate, branches will begin to grow around the wires, potentially causing damage to the bark and leaving permanent scars. To avoid this, remove the wires before they start digging into the bark. When removing the wiring, it is best to cut the wire at each turn. Do not attempt to unwind the wire from the branches, as this may result in harm to the tree.