subject: Bonsai Tree Wiring Tips And Advice [print this page] Many bonsai trees get their elegant shape by means of a procedure that consists of wrapping aluminum or copper wiring along the trunk of the tree from the bonsai's base and around the branches. The basic bonsai style can be produced by wrapping the trunk and branches of the tree with wire of the appropriate length and thickness. The formal upright style requires no wrapping, however the cascade shape necessitates many months of extensive training.
You should be very cautious when you're applying wire to the trunk or branches of a bonsai tree owing to the stress it will cause. Doing it the wrong way can mean, if worse comes to worst, a dead tree, or more typically a cracked branch. You can also wrap it too forcefully or maybe at the wrong time of year. This will result in injury from scarring that could take a long time to get rid of, or it could even kill the tree.
Prior to actually wiring your bonsai, utilize a stick or pole to practice. This will help you in getting a feel for the wire and will help you build up the suppleness required to wrap a branch while holding it. When you sense that you've gotten the full procedure mastered through your practice sessions, and you aren't moving anything that you shouldn't be, then you can try a similar thing with the bonsai tree.
First, you need to pick the most appropriate wire for your project. Copper and aluminum are the two most popular options, although copper is believed to be more attractive during the lengthy training period. When wrapping a bonsai, do not ever use steel, only annealed copper wire because of possible toxicity to certain varieties of bonsai. Aluminum is a good deal more flexible, so it is less difficult to use for a person who is new at this kind of project. Although copper is stiffer, it might scratch the tree if it isn't applied correctly. As a rule of thumb, select wire that's 1/3 of the branch's thickness.
To guide a tree into the desired shape, wire is wrapped around the branches and trunk in such a way as to place pressure on the specific places to be reshaped. Consequently the wire needs to be stronger as compared with the tree trunk or branch; if not, the wire will bend and not the tree.
Try wrapping branches from comparable trees to enhance your expertise and dexterity. You should try out different wires on your practice branch to see the results before proceeding to the actual tree that you want to train. Many different thicknesses will be required to complete the entire tree, so use all of them for practice.
Wrapping is a talent that needs a soft touch, and it takes a while to learn. It can be done by any focused practitioner, though, and the time and attention required will pay off.
