How To Shape A Bonsai
Tree With Wire

Shaping bonsai trees with wire is a necessary skill to give a tree movement
and form it into a great bonsai. Wiring can add older appearance and a
better sense of scale to your bonsai when applied correctly.

    
Tamarind Before Wiring                                        Tamarind after Wiring

Choosing the proper wire size for your bonsai

Most newcomers I have come across have trouble determining the proper
wire size for their project, usually using a bonsai wire that is too small.
Here are some tips for choosing the correct size.

Normally you will want to use wire that is approx. 1/4 the size of the
branch, but in some instances you may need wire to be as much as
half the size for example, when wiring a main trunk or branch
that is not very flexible.

Wiring Bonsai Branches

A single branch can be wired as shown above. Simply cut a piece of wire
twice the length of the branch to be wired and make a loop around the
trunk while leaving enough extra wire to make 2-3 loops around it on the
other side to add stability. Continue to loop the wire to the end of the brach.

For trunks and hard branches a branch bender may be necessary.
This is a very useful tool because you can bend a trunk slowly over
time by occasionally tightening the screw.

Removing Bonsai Wire

You should always remove training wire by cutting at the loops
with bonsai wire cutters. These are designed to cut close to the bark
without damaging it. Cut each loop along the branch and carefully
remove the wire.

When training bonsai branches with wire you should check often
during the growing season. Branches can grow and swell quicker than you
think .The picture above shows the damage caused by wire
being left on too long.

Training wire can also be used as guy wires to pull branches down as
seen in this pic.

Also See