Wiring 101
Why should I wrap my bonsai with all that wire? Wiring the trunk and branches of your bonsai enables you to place the trunk and branches into the positions you desire to create a ell-shaped bonsai. Wiring and bending of branches is stressful to the tree. In a healthy, vigorous tree this can be beneficial in that it will tend to slow the growth down, decreasing internodal length, helping to reduce leaf size, and aiding in the creation of finer ramification. There is a saying one should keep in mind when wiring: "The more wire, the better the bonsai." This does not mean that you should wrap your tree in wire just for the sake of having wire on it, rather it means that by wiring every branch on the tree you will have attended to the necessary details required to set all the branches into the proper positions. It is this attention to detail that will make a better bonsai.
Here are some things to keep in mind when wiring:
- What size wire should I use?
- Use a diameter that is large enough to hold the particular branch or trunk that you are bending in the desired position. This will vary depending on the type of tree, and the size of the branch you are bending. If you apply wire that is too small, it will not hold the branch in position and you will end up taking it off and reapplying a larger wire. If you apply wire that is too large, it will hold the branch in position, but you run the risk of breaking the branch. The amount of force required to bend a wire that is too large may not allow you to feel if the branch being bent too far. Additionally, as large diameter wire is more expensive than small diameter wire, it is wasteful to use wire that is larger than necessary.
- Should I use copper or aluminum wire?
- Copper and aluminum wire each have their advantages and disadvantages. Some of these are listed below.
- Advantages of Copper
- More esthetically pleasing than aluminum as it weathers.
- More holding power (stronger) for a given diameter than aluminum.
- Cheaper to use than aluminum (considering size of wire vs. holding power).
- Disadvantages of Copper
- More difficult to apply than aluminum.
- Must be annealed before use.
- Work-hardens rapidly.
- Advantages of Aluminum
- Easier to apply than copper.
- Does not need to be annealed before use.
- Disadvantages of Aluminum
- Less holding power(weaker) for a given diameter than copper.
- More expensive to use than copper (considering size of wire vs. holding power).
- Anodizing tends to fade to bright aluminum color with exposure to sunlight.
