Wiring question

[kez]

Hey folks,

Sorry if this is a bit of a newbie question but I was thinking about wiring today. Most of my trees are in wire at the moment, and while none of them have been left on for long periods it got me wondering....

I know wire is meant to be left on for as long as possible without causing scaring, but can a tree be wired indefinitely while in development? (if wire is removed and re-applied to avoid scaring)

If not, then when should a tree be allowed to grow freely without the use of wire and what are the reasons it would need this period? Are there times we need uninhibited sap flow? are there any other reasons for allowing a tree free reign?

Cheers,

Kez

[Josh]

The purpose of wiring is to set a branch/trunk in a particular position to achieve an overall look/effect. Once this is done there is no need to have wire on the tree.
The length of time you leave wire on a tree depends largely on the tree. I have a cypress that seems to just spring back to it's original position after taking the wire off (even when it's biting into the bark). I am now taking the wire off and putting it straight back on but wound the opposite direction.
Once a branch is set in place there is no real reason for leaving the wire on. The longer you leave the wire on the more chance it could damage the bark/branch.
There is however an exception to every rule. Sometimes wire is left on deliberately on new branches/trunks to damaged the bark and cause scarring to help make the branch/trunk bark up and look old to match an older section of the tree. Usually done in a crisscross pattern to cause the effect like on old pines.
Personally I do not see any value in leaving wire on longer than needed, as soon as a branch is set I would be taking it off. I think there is nothing worse than a beautiful show tree with scarring all over the branches/trunk from wire.
Can I ask what value you think there would be in leaving the wire on longer than needed after the branch is set in place?

Josh

[shibui]

All the above. Well done Josh.
Often when the branch/ trunk you are moving is thin and the tree is young and vigorous it will stay put after just a month or so and the wires can be removed. I have some junipers I am bending severely over the past couple of years. Usually i just wire the most recent growth (from 4-2 mm thick) and they stay put after just 5 weeks.

[kez]

Thanks for the reply Josh and Shibui

No real value (in leaving wire on) considered here, just one for the knowledge album. I guess my question came from a similar train of thought to what you mentioned in describing the tree you have that springs back, and I just got to wondering what, if any, negative impacts extended periods of wiring (on the tree as a whole over individual branches) may be.

The more I dig the more I realise that there are many aspects of this art that I have only scratched the surface of

Cheers,

Kez

[Josh]

Thanks for the reply Josh and Shibui

No real value (in leaving wire on) considered here, just one for the knowledge album. I guess my question came from a similar train of thought to what you mentioned in describing the tree you have that springs back, and I just got to wondering what, if any, negative impacts extended periods of wiring (on the tree as a whole over individual branches) may be.

The more I dig the more I realise that there are many aspects of this art that I have only scratched the surface of

Cheers,

Kez

We can all learn something new if we are willing to. The more you dig the deeper hole is that you find yourself in most scares will grow out over time however some will take a lot longer to fully disappear than you think. Someone once said they put a red peg on the pot if the tree is wired, it reminds them to check if the wire needs to be removed. Trust me, it is very easy to forget or miss a wired branch. I have nearly cut branches in half

All the above. Well done Josh.
Often when the branch/ trunk you are moving is thin and the tree is young and vigorous it will stay put after just a month or so and the wires can be removed. I have some junipers I am bending severely over the past couple of years. Usually i just wire the most recent growth (from 4-2 mm thick) and they stay put after just 5 weeks.

Josh

[lakepipes]

Hi Kez,

I have wire on all my trees and even when the primary branches have been set, there is still a requirement for the secondary and all other branching to be wired right down to the tips.
Wiring your branches is one of the most important skills to perfect and the quality of a tree that has been wired throughout its life and maintained to this level will set it above one that has just been "maintained" once the branches were set.
Positioning of the ramified branches (twigging) really makes a difference with any tree. Take a look at any video of Japanese bonsai on youtube and see if they don't use wire.... i think you will see that every tree no matter how old gets some wire no matter what, usually to position the foliage for best growing condition and presentation.

Tree varieties such as cedars do have a fair amount of flexibility in them and do take a long time to set in place and you will find that there is a high probability that they will always have wire on them..

As for your question, is there value?
There is huge value in having your trees wired. The quality of your trees will improve 10 fold with selective pruning and branch wiring..... right to the tips!
A wise man once told me that if you don't like to apply and remove wire, then bonsai isn't the hobby for you.

Good luck with your trees.

Mike