Mercnik wrote:

It may shock the viewers.

I can not argue with that. You probably never made any mistake when learning about bonsai? As I said. It is my very first attemp. It will be succsess for me, if the tree will survive my "operation".

Just a play with words, don't take it too seriously. Of course my first trees weren't great - though they weren't too bad either, as I created them during my first bonsai lessons. I did kill a load of 'm though. I do admit that one of the trees I shaped at that time looked... rather silly

Seems your wiring looks pretty good, especially for someone who has done it for the first time. The stick doesn't look nice, but that doesn't mean it is wrong - if it does it's job, that's fine.

Yes, keeping it alive is now the most important thing.

The stick I do not like it either, but I do not know, how to curve old brunch. I do not have so strong wire... The stick should do it's job for now.

I'm also considering to visit some bonsai lesson. I already find a tutor in my country. Probably less trees will die in my process of learning.

Oh don't worry, if a newbie doesn't do something like that we worry. I did the same to one of my junipers last year, maybe I'll take a picture. It's really doing alright, in a couple more years???

Like I said, maybe I should have said it differently, let's wait and see. Personally it aught to be quit nice.

You might want to remove the wires. soon

Samantha wrote: You might want to remove the wires. soon

Personally, I see no reason to removde the wires, certainly not soon.
Any damage done by wiring the tree has been done, and is normal. Leave the tree alone. Let it grow. Once you see that the branch is getting so thick that the wire starts to 'fall below' the bark, remove. This may be in a month of two. Or this may be next spring. This really depends on the growth you get. (I typically wait untill I see the first branch where the wire really is clearly in the bark, normally almost up to half of the thickness of the wire; The rest will then also have set, and I unwire all branches in one setting).

Do you have a wire clipper? Do NOT try to unwind the wire as you will push the back off the branch and/or twist side branches of the branch. (I know, people do unwind at times, but in the long run you will hate yourself, as you will hurt the bark/side branches at some point).

I heave just wired it up last week. Will leave wires till autumn, and then I'll cut them of.
I won' t evwn bother unwindig.

An example of wire cutting into the branch



Use wire cutters like leatherback recommended, either general use or specifically for bonsai - they both work.

brkirkland22 wrote: An example of wire cutting into the branch

For me, this was left on way too long though I would let it go half as deep.
I prefer bonsai wire cutters, as often the handles are longer, the head is smaller, allowing access in smaller spaces. Also, the front is less pointy normally. The regular cutters on your pic look pretty decent though

brkirkland22 wrote: An example of wire cutting into the branch

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A good example of how not to do it. This wire should have been removed a long time ago.
It will now take ages for the wire scars to disappear - if that ever happens.

@ leatherback and Auk:

Absolutely too far gone. Not my picture, but an extreme example of what happens if you leave the wire on too long.

Agreed on the scar never really going away, especially this being deciduous. Juniper & pine may be more forgiving (trident maple calluses really well, too).

I used common wire cutters for a few years, until I bought good ones made for bonsai - world of difference. Better leverage, like bolt cutters!