Wire choice when wiring trees into pots

[Bearded_Jiggs]

This one is probably common sense but being the newbie I am I figured I'd field the question, does it matter what size wire you use when wiring your tree to its container? Being new, I purchased an aluminium wire set off Amazon for ten bucks, and it came with a small variety of sizes, the smallest in two colors (not fond of the green). I figured I could use the green to tie down my new projects, but wasn't sure if I should be using the larger sizes for stability. Just day-treeming really... Thanks for taking the time to read my nonsense!

 

[Dav4]

The bigger the tree and pot, the larger the gauge of wire needed to adequately tie it in... and I've personally never seen color coded wire so I can't help you there. Do a search here for pics of trees being wired into the pots or something similar to gauge where you need to be with your given tree.

 

[Bearded_Jiggs]

Yeah don't think its "color coded" think the green is just included for aesthetics. Thanks for the quick response!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Interesting question. Usually 1.5 mm aluminum for shohin trees, and 2-3 mm for larger trees.

 

[M. Frary]

I use whatever used lengths that I have laying around.

 

[jeanluc83]

I have a spool of aluminum electric fence wire. I think it was a 1000' spool. It is bright and shiny so I mostly use it for tie downs and keep the anodized stuff for wiring branches. It is 16 ga. with translates to ~1.3 mm. It is a bit on the small side but it works if you are careful. I have been known to double it up for larger trees.

 

[Steve21]

I have a spool of aluminum electric fence wire. I think it was a 1000' spool. It is bright and shiny so I mostly use it for tie downs and keep the anodized stuff for wiring branches. It is 16 ga. with translates to ~1.3 mm. It is a bit on the small side but it works if you are careful. I have been known to double it up for larger trees.

Dido. Cheaper, stronger, and less stretch compared to copper or aluminum. A 250’ roll on Amazon is $10.

 

[Hawke84]

i use 1.5mm for wiring in, seems to give enough stability but my trees arent massive

 

[Bearded_Jiggs]

A 250’ roll on Amazon is $10.

This? looks the same but only $5?

https://www.amazon.com/Fi-Shock-FW-...529614101&sr=8-4&keywords=electric+fence+wire

 

[Hawke84]

can you anoidze the fence stuff to use on branches?

 

[WNC Bonsai]

My last order I bought 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm aluminum wire rolls. I use the 2 for wiring them in the pots and a lot of other things. The 3 & 4 are good for thick branches and the 1 works well for small branches and twigs. If you need something intermediate then just double one of the other sizes and for really heavy duty bending use the 1 mm wire for guys wires.

 

[Steve21]

That’s what I use, cheap strong and effective.

This? looks the same but only $5?

https://www.amazon.com/Fi-Shock-FW-...529614101&sr=8-4&keywords=electric+fence+wire

 

[PiñonJ]

I use 17 ga. galvanized steel electric fence wire. I also have a spool of 16 ga, but it is a little harder to work and the 17 ga. is strong enough for almost any bonsai application.

 

[Adair M]

I use 17 ga. galvanized steel electric fence wire. I also have a spool of 16 ga, but it is a little harder to work and the 17 ga. is strong enough for almost any bonsai application.

Steel wire is pretty stiff. I’d use aluminum for tying trees in pots.

I use steel for guywires. Sometimes.

 

[PiñonJ]

Steel wire is pretty stiff. I’d use aluminum for tying trees in pots.

I use steel for guywires. Sometimes.

The 17 is not hard to work. The big advantage is that it won’t stretch.

 

[Adair M]

The 17 is not hard to work. The big advantage is that it won’t stretch.

Agreed. That’s why I use it for guy wires.

 

[PaulH]

I also use 17 ga. electric fence wire. its stronger than Al., it doesn't stretch, and when its time to repot it has rusted away.

 

[jeanluc83]

can you anoidze the fence stuff to use on branches?

You could but it's not worth it. Except for the color there is nothing wrong with using it as is. Al fence wire is pretty small so it's really only usable on very small branches anyway.

 

[petegreg]

I use a cheap green garden steel tie wire, PVC coating works fine I always have to remove it when repotting (2-5years).

 

[Ivan lopez]

Interesting question. Usually 1.5 mm aluminum for shohin trees, and 2-3 mm for larger trees.

So would you think to use aluminum in general for all trees (deciduous, conifer and pines) when wiring them into a pot?