Wiring tip: how to prevent branches from splitting away from the trunk

It might just be me, but I’ve found that it can be easy for wired branches to split away from the trunk during branch setting.

This is more of an issue for deciduous trees than for conifers, but it can happen to all species trained as bonsai.

Fortunately, there’s a simple tip that can help: take care with the transition of wire from trunk to branch. Here’s what this looks like, starting with an example of what not to do.

Incorrect position

The wire doesn’t support the base of the branch

Broken branch

Broken branch resulting from poor wire placement

The alternative is to apply wire so it crosses the branch shoulder, the place where the branch emerges from the trunk.

Correct position

Wire crossing the branch shoulder

The same problem can arise when applying wire to a Y-shaped intersection. If the lowest loop of wire is positioned below the split, it’s easy for the branch to break.

Incorrect position

Wire incorrectly positioned below the split

Broken branch

Another broken branch

As in the first example, the alternative is to apply the wire where it crosses the branch shoulder.

Correct position

Wire crossing the branch shoulder

When connecting two branches with one piece of wire, you might find that the first pattern applies to one end of the wire, and the second pattern applies to the other end of the wire.

With practice, these adjustments can become natural, and fewer branches will split off when branches are set. There are plenty of other ways to break wired branches, but we’ll stop here for today.

Interview with Bill Valavanis published this week on the Bonsai Wire Podcast

The bonsai teacher, publisher of International Bonsai Magazine, and organizer of ​the US National Bonsai Exhibition, William N. Valavanis, joined Michael Hagedorn and I for a recent episode of the Bonsai Wire Podcast. Hear Bill share his approach to styling trees along with stories from his 58 years in bonsai at:

Bonsai Wire Podcast

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