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Wiring is the practice of wrapping aluminum or copper wire around bonsai trees trunks or branches, in order to shape the tree gradually. The branches & trunks are wrapped in either anodized aluminum or annealed copper wire & held in place for a few weeks or months until they fuse into position. Once the wires are removed, the branches & trunks that were wired, stay in shape & place.

It’s important to remember that the wire should be anodized aluminum or annealed copper. This is because harmful metals can leach out from other types of wires & be ingested by the tree, resulting in sickness or death.

Wiring bonsai trees will put stress along the trunk or branch. it is essential to exercise caution & patience during the process. Right. When performed correctly, the inner cambium of the bonsai tree will be stressed, & then fracture, which will result in the tree adapting to the stress & growing in the desired direction that you want. Incorrect wiring can easily result in a cracked branch, or worse, a cracked trunk & a dead tree.

In order for the wire to shape the tree, it needs to be placed at various points along the length of the trunk or branch. The wire will have to be stiffer than the trunk or branch, otherwise, the wire bend instead of the tree.

Always keep an eye on your bonsai tree, during & after wiring is done. There is a high chance of the wires cutting into the bark & having the bark growing around it, especially at high tensile points. It is possible for this to occur if you do not get rid of the wires soon enough. Several weeks is enough time to start rechecking & evaluating how much progress has occurred. If the tree appears to be growing fast, get rid of the wires, & rewrap again. Some fast growing species will require regular checking & you may even have to constantly wrap & rewrap.

The worst mistake is wrapping & forgetting all about removing the wires! If the wires cut into the branch later on, cut off the wire with special secateurs that are now able to sever at the blade tips. It is not a good idea to unwrap the wire, as you could break off some twigs or leaves in the process.

Wiring bonsai trees is a learned art & small steps will take you to wonderous places. Take it slowly & carefully & you’ll be rewarded with a satisfaction that can not actually be expressed with words alone.

Tyrone is an enthusiast that is beginning his journey into the gentle art of creating bonsai trees.