Rick Jeffery wires a bald cypress.

Wiring is both a science and an art. There is a practical end to the wiring and specific results for which one does wire, but often a tree is displayed while it is still wired. It is with this in mind that an artful approach to wiring comes into play.

The particulars of how to actually wire are beyond the scope of this article. There are many wonderful bonsai books on the market that show how to wire in detail. Having a good bonsai book is an invaluable tool. I strongly suggest you have at least one in your library.

Wiring is an important part of bonsai. For most species of tree it's an absolute nesecity if the illusion of age and size is to be achieved. Without it most tree would grow wild with upward reaching branches. This is not very attractive and makes it difficult to maintain a healthy tree at these smaller sizes.

Flat Top Cypress. Wire makes all the difference.

You can find wire for bonsai in either aluminum or copper. Aluminum wire is widely available from most bonsai dealers. It stays softer when worked and thus tends to be easier to work with. However, it's this very quality that limits it's holding power. This translates into having to use thicker and/or more wire on your trees.

Copper is considered traditional by many and is preffered by many bonsai masters around the world. However it tends to be a bit more expensive and can also be more dificult to work with because it work hardens quickly. This means that once you put a bend into the wire it is very difficult to undo that bend. This translates into more holding power when bending branches. It may be that the front end cost of cooper is offset by the amount you save by having to use less wire as compared to aluminum. However, this requires that you do it right the first time as even minor adjustments can mean having to cut it off and starting over.

You can purchase bonsai wire online from Orlando Bonsai.