Wiring a Tool of Submission by Tom Brown

A Look at wiring strategies and techniques

What are your views on using Jute?
What are your views on using Coach Tape?

What are your views on using Jute?
What are your views on using Coach Tape?

Irene, coach tape, vet wrap, or any other man made stretchable wrap that I have seen have done the job for others. I personally don't use them as I have seen them do damage to flaky bark trees, stain deciduous bark and leave binding marks if left to long. A cosmetic repair of this type can take years to repair.

The use of raffia is my personal preference when it comes to padding or reinforcement of cambium along with small rubber sheeting squares for high pressure areas. This rubber sheeting can be bought in 12 by 6 sheets at local hardware stores for about a buck (+/-). I am personally comfortable with raffia and think it blends well with a tree. I personally don't see a need to have more than that since raffia does the job.

As far as Jute goes can't say I have ever used it nor seen it used. However, I would reason since that its a natural fiber that it might be similar to raffia and have some of the same characteristics.

I should mention that Flex has an article dedicated to this subject in greater detail here

Very good article Tom. I learned a lot. Now I know I need to practice .

Tom

Tom,
I've noticed that people with really good wiring skills are able to get the wire on so that it seems to almost not touch the tree. I'm not saying there is a giant loop of wire, but that the wire is so well applied that small gaps between wire and bark can be seen just all over the tree.
As the branches are bent into shape, most of those gaps close up, but the wire is obviously not over tight so that the branch can thicken up some before the wire starts to bite in.
Is there a specific way to practice this? I know about supporting the branch with one hand and putting a little twist in the wire as I wrap, but I still seem to get it on too tight. Any advice on how to develop some touch? Thanks, Vic

Vic, Your question is something people have pursued to master for a very long time. Lots of practice is the first step to achieving a good wiring job. I know a guy who after he would come home from work in the winter, would sit down every night with a large dead branch and practice wiring over and over again. I can say truly from that practice he is one of the best at wiring I have ever seen or met. In fact, he can wire a branch with his eyes shut perfectly, I kid you not. Annie Oakley move over . So practice is a key element.

As far as your question on technique goes this is what i do and it works well for me. I apply wire with my forefinger. This allows me to feel the pressure as the wire is applied. I should note that unless you have fingers of steel that the forefinger approach may not work well with #4, #6,#8 copper . I have never heard nor seen of wire twisted as its applied. I, after application, twist the branch gently in the direction that the wire was applied snugging it down to the desired contact while bending the branch to the desired position. This method assures good contact and can be controlled by the amount of twist you apply.

I developed a trick (by accident) that others have picked up on and has helped them. If you over anneal copper and plunge it in ice water it will become brittle. I found that unless you apply it exactly right that it will snap on you. While this can be a bit maddening at first, it forces you to apply the wire correctly or it will show you when and how you went wrong by snapping. Think of one of those golf training aids where the shaft of the club becomes unhinged unless your swing is just right. With enough practice with this type of wire (which we offer at request) and a old branch your wiring skill will improve tremendously, or bound to or send you off to a rubber room

Tom,
I knew that "twist" was the wrong word, but I wasn't coming up with anything else. I think now that instead of saying that "they twist it as they put it on", I should have said that they roll the wire around the branch with their finger and arm.
Anyway I think I was trying to say the same thing as you .... your finger learns how much tension to apply so that the wire is neither too loose, nor too tight. Twisting the branch after, while shaping it, is something I've only seen once before, but I thought it was only being done to aid with branch placement.
I should have a lot of down time this winter..... knee replacement..... ought to be a good time to sit and wire, don't you think? Thanks for the response, it's amazing how much you can learn (and forget) in the forums. At least I can re-learn (and .......... Vic

Vic N wrote:Tom,
I knew that "twist" was the wrong word, but I wasn't coming up with anything else. I think now that instead of saying that "they twist it as they put it on", I should have said that they roll the wire around the branch with their finger and arm.
Anyway I think I was trying to say the same thing as you .... your finger learns how much tension to apply so that the wire is neither too loose, nor too tight. Twisting the branch after, while shaping it, is something I've only seen once before, but I thought it was only being done to aid with branch placement.
I should have a lot of down time this winter..... knee replacement..... ought to be a good time to sit and wire, don't you think? Thanks for the response, it's amazing how much you can learn (and forget) in the forums. At least I can re-learn (and .......... Vic

Vic,
The best way to learn to wire is to practice...with some encouragement and teaching. Where would we find someone to help with hands-on teaching about wiring? Hmmmm....just call me any time. We can set up a wiring workshop at your place so you don't have to travel.

Here's a tip I heard recently from an unexpected source. The motion of guiding your wire with your forefinger is similar to the motion used to get the last peanut butter out of the jar. Think about that as you coil the wire. You aren't bending it onto the branch, you are bending it so that its final bit of movement nestles against the branch. Fun, yes?

"You aren't bending it onto the branch, you are bending it so that its final bit of movement nestles against the branch. Fun, yes?"

Chris,
THAT'S what I've got to learn! It could be that part of my problem is that when I go after that last bit of peanut butter, I really dig for it. But the visual of that is perfect! Thanks.

I was depressed that I couldn't make it to your last workshop because I was going to bring my JBP and get your thoughts on how to proceed ....... wire? wait another year? cut more off? put it back in the ground? burn? (okay not that last) I don't care about the travel,tho. I can't do it every week, but your workshops are spaced far enough apart that it's no problem, especially when I get to work with high caliber bonsai people like yourself! I have had to work so many weekends this year, and that's why I've had trouble getting down there.

Bottom line, I would appreciate any help you want to give!

Vic

Ok, I'm off to a workshop tomorrow where I'll actually get to torture (ok, WIRE) a nice young (but pretty good sized) shimpaku so I thought I'd re-read this. I'm really looking forward to this!

Thanks for the info!