The technique of wrapping copper or aluminum wire around the branches or trunk of a bonsai tree to shape it is called wiring. The basic bonsai style can be created by wrapping the trunk and branches of the tree with wire of the right length and thickness. The formal upright style needs no wrapping, however the cascade style requires many months of extensive training.

The process of wiring adds stress along the trunk or branch, so proceed with care. Doing it the wrong way can mean, if worse comes to worst, a dead tree, or more often a cracked branch. You can also wrap it too forcefully or even at the wrong time of year. If this takes place the tree will get a scar that takes a long time to heal, and there is also the possibility of the tree dying.

Prior to actually wiring your bonsai, utilize a stick or pole to practice. This will help you in getting used to the wire while developing the dexterity to hang on to the branch and simultaneously wrap. When you are confident that you can hold the branch with one hand and wrap it with the other, without bending or pulling at anything but the wrapped section, you can begin working on your bonsai tree.

Step one is choosing the most appropriate wire for the undertaking. The typical options are either aluminum or copper, but many people find that copper is more appealing to the eye throughout the lengthy bonsai training procedure. When wrapping a bonsai, don’t ever utilize steel, only annealed copper wire due to possible toxicity to particular species of bonsai. Beginners find it easier to use aluminum since it isn’t as difficult to bend. Copper wiring tends to be a bit stiffer, however it can also scar the bonsai if you don’t apply it with care. As a rule of thumb, select wire that is 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 put pressure on the particular 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 improve your ability and dexterity. Test different thicknesses of wire on branches of a comparable species and size before using it on the bonsai. A variety of widths will be necessary in order to wire the whole tree so try working with all of them beforehand.

Wiring a bonsai is a skill that requires a lot of patience in order to master. Do not be disheartened, though, because if you’re prepared to take the time you can learn how to do this, and you will be so pleased with the results.

To find a great bonsai tree that will grow and flourish in the environment you plan to grow it in, you have to know a few things first. From bonsai shaping to bonsai training pots, there’s a lot involved in this art.