Wire sizing for new tree shaping

[EverydayDiesel]

Hello,

I just purchased 10 seedlings that are about a year old and I would like to start wiring and shaping the trunk.

Should I get copper or aluminium?

What size should I get for these trees?

2 Japanese maples (acer palladium) (12-14" tall)
5 Dawn redwood metasequoia(10 - 15" tall)
3 Bald Cypress (7-9" tall)

 

[Eric Group]

You should use wire that is just big enough to wire the trunk into the shape you want. You can determine this by simply holding the wire with about an inch extending from your fingers, holding the base of the trunk/ branch with the other hand and applying pressure to the trunk with the wire. If the wire bends, use a thicker piece, if the branch/ trunk bends that piece of wire should be good to use.. if you use much too large of a piece of wire, it can easily break or damage the branch, so it is important to get the size about right when doing this. Many differing opinions on which type of wire is best for which trees/ situations when it comes to Al vs Cu but I just feel if the wire bends what you want it to bend then it is the right kind.

 

[Adair M]

As you progress in bonsai, you will obtain more trees. Eventually, you will need every size wire from 4 to 20 copper. Aluminum is sized by the mm.

The general rule is you should wire conifers with copper and deciduous with aluminum.

Colin Lewis put a great tutorial about wiring on the Craftsy web site. It's free, but you do have to register. Once in, search on bonsai.

 

[klosi]

As a beginner I think it's easier to use aluminium wire.

 

[Bunjeh]

Here is where I learned initially. http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics_Wiring.htm

 

[Paradox]

For seedlings aluminum is fine. When you start getting to bigger juniper and pines copper is better. You can still use aluminum on deciduous trees of any size and for maples it's preferred.

 

[Adair M]

As a beginner I think it's easier to use aluminium wire.

You need to use thicker aluminum to get the same holding strength as copper. Aluminum is far less expensive.

Properly annealed copper is really not any harder to apply than aluminum. Once you get up to gauge 10 and larger, yes then it gets a bit more difficult. But you don't make tight bends with that size wire.

I like copper because when you bend it, it stays put. You don't have to "overbend" because you know it's going to relax.

 

[sorce]

Vigaro sells some floral training wire at the depot. Cheap as hell and will Probly work.

I twist 2 together for more strength.

Sorce

 

[klosi]

@Adair M , you're right, annealed copper wire is softer and gets harder when bent. It certainly has more holding power. But I know that I, as a beginner, am affraid of using copper just because if I make a mistake and want to fix it and rewire it a bit it gets harder and harder with every bend. So for experienced "wirerers" the copper is a better option I think.

 

[Adair M]

True, you can't "rewire". Remove and replace.

 

[Paradox]

I definitely think it is better to use aluminum when learning because it is easier and less frustrating for a beginner to work with once you start bending it in my experience. If you screw something up, its much easier to remove if you can and much cheaper if you have to cut it off and redo the wiring. I also think that at some point, the extra size required for the aluminum to do the job becomes a problem. Of course you can always double up to make it easier. However as I said, in the case of junipers and pines, at some point copper really is the best way to go.

 

[Adair M]

I've always pretty much used copper. Way back in the dark ages, there wasn't aluminum wire available. We only had copper. And it wasn't very well annealed. (Even though they claimed it was!).

Regardless, learn to wire well. Wiring is bonsai, and bonsai is wiring.

 

[sorce]

Learn in copper, practice in copper, perfection in copper.

Just don't trust......a copper!

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

Just don't trust......a copper!

Never ever!

 

[Jaberwky17]

Was reading an older generation of bonsai manual last night, describing removing copper and pounding straight with a mallet and re-annealing. Over and over again.

 

[Adair M]

Yep. Annealing realigns the copper atoms, and makes the wire soft.

 

[sorce]

Sorce

 

[M. Frary]

View attachment 82911

Sorce

I throw that stuff right on the fire just like it is to anneal it.

 

[Eric Group]

View attachment 82911

Sorce

You planning to use that lighter to anneal the wire or...?
Cuz I think that would take a REALLLY LOOONNNGGGG TIME!

 

[markyscott]

Try watching this series:

http://www.craftsy.com/class/bonsai...?_ct=iuqhsx-kdyluhiqb-huikbj-sekhiu&_ctp=4616

It's some free help that may help you figure out some of your wiring questions. He has a sections on wire selection and sizes, annealing your own wire, and basic wiring techniques. By the end of the first couple of videos you should know why to avoid stranded wire.

Scott