How To Choose Bonsai Wire: The Ultimate Wire Selection Guide

How to choose bonsai wire: We select our bonsai wire depending on the species, your experience, branch flexibility and hardiness, and wire thickness.

Seeing different wires in the market is a bit confusing. Today, I will show you how to choose bonsai wire and how to select the thickness of your wire. 

You will also learn the best wire for bonsai trees as a beginner. Wiring is an essential technique in bonsai art.

I have written a separate article on how to wire a bonsai tree, so read it by clicking here.

How To Choose Bonsai Wire [Things To Consider Before Choosing A Wire For A Bonsai Tree]

How to choose bonsai wire: As I have said in the introduction, there are different factors to consider. 

In this section, I will explain the steps or things to consider when choosing a bonsai wire.

In the art of Bonsai, there are other things to consider, such as bonsai pots and choosing a bonsai tree. Don’t worry, I have prepared those articles for you.

Read more on how to choose a bonsai tree by clicking here and how to choose a bonsai pot by clicking here.

How to choose bonsai wire: When selecting a wire for Bonsai, there are several factors to consider.

How to choose bonsai wire? Here are the factors to consider when choosing bonsai wire.

We have different things to consider when asking how to choose bonsai wire.

Below are the necessary things to consider when choosing bonsai wire.

1] Wire Type Or Material 

How to choose bonsai wire: First, you have to consider the material of the wire. The most common bonsai wires are aluminum, Copper, and stainless steel.

Aluminum wire is the most popular due to its flexibility, but Copper is stronger. Stainless steel is a more expensive option and is perfect for trees with thick, hard-to-bend branches.

Aluminum wire is easier for beginners because it can be blended more easily than copper wire.

When you want to walk on deciduous trees, we recommend aluminum wire. Did you know how to wire a bonsai tree? If you don’t know or you want to improve more.

Please read my other post about how to wire a bonsai tree by clicking read now. I also mention the types of wire for bonsai trees.

2] Wire Diameter 

How to choose bonsai wire: Wire diameter is another crucial factor when Selecting suitable bonsai wiring. You can find bonsai wires in different sizes, from thin to thick. 

The wire size or thickness is considered when we ask ourselves how to choose bonsai wire.

Bonsai wire varies from 1-8mm thick. Despite all these wire sizes, I suggest you begin with 1mm, 1.5mm, 2.5mm, and 4mm thick bonsai wires.

The diameter will depend on the amount of work the tree needs. The thicker a bonsai wire is, the more strength it possesses to hold branches.

3] Bonsai Wire Flexibility

How to choose bonsai wire: When picking the right wire for a bonsai tree, you should also consider the flexibility that the branches need. 

The wire should be soft enough to bend without damaging the branches but strong enough to hold the desired shape.

Please avoid using bonsai wire that breaks when you try to bend it. Use wire with good flexibility and elasticity.

4] Bonsai Tree Specie

How to choose bonsai wire: We all know we have various types of bonsai trees in the art of Bonsai. Not all three have the same level of flexibility.

A hard branch needs a thick, stronger wire than a flexible bonsai tree branch. All bonsai tree branches do not have the same strength or elasticity.

Having two different bonsai branches with the same thickness doesn’t mean they all have the same flexibility and elasticity. 

Always go into deep research about your specific bonsai tree. If you want to know the best bonsai tree for beginners, feel free to check it out by clicking read now

But copper wire is needed to work on coniferous trees or get into significant shaping.

5] Wire Length

How to choose bonsai wire: Sometimes, the bonsai wire length is considered because we need longer wire to wrap the tree branches or trunk so the wire can circulate throughout the tree.

The ideal length for a bonsai wire is about 1.5 to 2 times longer than the branch you are wiring. 

In case you have exhausted your wire and you need more, you can do some joining.

6] Wire Strength

How to choose bonsai wire: Sometimes, we Consider the strength of your wire. A stronger wire can do hardwiring. And the soft wire is easy for beginners.

7] Wiring Technique

Before starting wiring, we have already decided whether the wiring techniques we want are either single-wire or double-wire.

8] Experience Level

How to choose bonsai wire: Your experience level matters in bonsai wiring as in other fields of study.

I advise all beginners to start with aluminum bonsai wire because they are easy for beginners to handle and are forgiving mistakes.

Summary

How to choose bonsai wire: Some factors can be ignored among the above factors concerning the appropriate wire for a bonsai tree.

The main factors required are your experience level, bonsai species, wire strength and thickness, flexibility, and the type of wire you want to purchase.

What Are The Types Of Wire We Have For The Bonsai Tree?

There are two types of wire for bonsai trees: Aluminum and Copper. In this article, I will only talk about Copper and aluminum wire.

The most commonly used wire in bonsai art are Copper and aluminum. Read through why differentiate the difference between Copper and aluminum. 

Aluminum Wire

The aluminum wire used for Bonsai is aluminum that has been anodized (an electrochemical process that changes the surface of the wire, protecting it against corrosion).

It comes colored in dark colors such as brown and black and aesthetically harmonizes more with the bark of most trees. 

Its shade blends better with the bark and makes a heavily wired tree look less unsightly.

The Advantages Of Using Anodized Aluminum Wire Are:

1. Softness. Aluminum is a considerably softer metal than Copper. Because of this, aluminum has become the preferred wire for wiring deciduous trees and species with thin, smooth bark. 

Aluminum is softer and less likely to damage these more delicate trees.

2.            It does not need to be annealed: In addition to its softness, the great advantage of aluminum wire is that it does not need to be annealed. 

The big disadvantage is that it has half the holding power of Copper. 

That means the diameter of any wire used to bend a branch will be twice as thick when using aluminum than with Copper.

3.            Reusable. Reusability is another advantage that aluminum wire has, but at the same time, it can make it dangerous. 

When it’s time to remove it, the aluminum can be carefully unrolled from the branch, straightened, and reused on another tree later.

4.                It is very malleable and easier to handle.

5.                Its smooth surface is ideal for deciduous trees such as maples, elms, and olive trees.

6.                Since it is brown, it is not too unsightly when wrapped around branches.

7.                It does not react with water, soil, and fertilizers.

8.                It can be used again and again.

The Disadvantages Of Using Anodized Aluminum Wire Are:

1. It is quite expensive compared to traditional copper wire.

2. It’s not as strong as copper wire.

Copper Wire

Copper bonsai wire is Copper that has been annealed (heated over a fire) to make it more malleable and less brittle, making it easier to work with. 

Once annealed Copper has been bent and twisted around a branch, it becomes stiffer, holding the position of the branch at half the gauge of aluminum wire.

Unlike aluminum wire, it is irrecoverable and eliminates it. It is recommended to cut each turn with a wire cutter, and since its cost is high, it can be expensive for some. 

It is ideal for conifers as its branches gradually recover their original position. 

When used annealed, it is ductile, but as has been said, over time, its molecules cohere, recovering its original hardness and maintaining the branch more effectively in the same position after placement.

We all like to save money, but remember that uncoiling wires risk accidentally breaking branches. 

We recommend reducing the possibility of branch breakage by cutting all types of wire, whether Copper or aluminum.

The advantages of using copper wire to shape your Bonsai:

• It is more stable and stronger than aluminum wire.
• PVC-coated single-core copper cable can also be used for bonsai training. Its PVC coating should not be removed as it protects the branches from permanent scarring.
• It works well if used for harder trunks like conifers.

The Disadvantages Of Using Copper Wire For Wiring Bonsai Trees Are:

• It is more difficult to work with and can be difficult to shape. Thus, it may be a less favorable option for beginners.
• Its rough surface can cut tender tree branches. However, you can use it for harder trunks like conifers.
• Because of its bright colors, a PVC-coated single wire is visible on bonsai trees. Most people only use it to train their bonsai trees, not to display them.
• It produces a green oxidation that can harm trees, so it is only recommended for thick bark species.

Copper vs. Aluminum Wire For Bonsai: Which Is Better?

 

There are two types of wires on the market which depend on their manufacturing material, as we mentioned before, aluminum and Copper. 

Aluminum wire is characterized by being malleable and does not lose flexibility compared to other elements. 

These are the reasons why aluminum wire is most used for this practice.

Aluminum wire can be found in silver and black on the market, but both are the same. However, this will not change its operation in any way.

Copper wires are used in conifers for several reasons. First, these trees have stronger growth in shorter periods.

Therefore, when they grow, they put more pressure on the wiring. Copper is chosen over aluminum because it resists that pressure. 

Although Copper is a malleable metal, it becomes hard and loses flexibility when exposed to the sun and water.

The copper wire can keep the branches of the conifer in place, and the species does not lose its shape. 

Copper, having a reddish color and, when oxidized, a browner tone, camouflages perfectly with the surface of the trunk, going unnoticed.

So, in this comparison, we will choose copper wire only for wiring coniferous bonsais. 

We will use aluminum wire for other types of species, especially when we are beginners.

Aluminum wire: This wire is mainly intended for tree species with smooth bark because it is more flexible and marks less quickly than Copper. 

However, it will still be marked when the branches or trunks grow more strongly during spring and summer. Unlike Copper, it does not need to be annealed.

Copper wire: This wire is stronger than aluminum, which makes it more difficult to install for the same diameter. 

Note that the copper wire specific to bonsai tying is already annealed.

On the other hand, if you buy standard copper wire, you will have to anneal it before using it. 

The operation is necessary to guarantee good flexibility during installation. 

You must also anneal if you have had bonsai copper wire for over a year. I tell you more about it at the end of this article.

What Is The Reason For Selecting Wire For The Bonsai Tree?

How to choose bonsai wire: The reason for selecting wire for the bonsai tree is that Not All bonsai species can survive any wire you give them.

For example, we recommend aluminum wire for deciduous trees, while Copper is for conifers and pines.

Another reason for our Deciding on bonsai wire options is that not everyone has the same level of experience in bonsai wiring. 

How to choose bonsai wire Is to consider the thickness of The Wire to know if the wire is capable enough to bend The branch of a particular bonsai tree. 

What Wire Is Best For Bonsai Trees?

Different experts have concluded that the best wire for Bonsai Three remains Anodized aluminum and annealed Copper [Copper and aluminum], Even if we have different aluminum and copper wire from different companies and have passed different manufacturing processes.

Feel free to read the manufacturer’s instructions before using any bonsai wire if you are a beginner, but all Hiring processes at the same. 

Read more: What is a pre bonsai

Which Bonsai Wire Is The Best For Beginners

The anodized aluminum wire Is recommended for beginners as it is easy to work on And can forgive mistakes.

The aluminum wire is soft to handle and flexible when working on it. Also, the aluminum wire can be reusable.

We have found out beginners find it difficult to handle copper wire because they are strong and hard to bend, but this does not make it a bad wire.

Experts can more easily handle copper wire for bonsai trees than a beginner, so I advise every beginner to start with aluminum wire to avoid Frustration on their way.

Read more: how to care for bonsai tree.

Can I Use Electrical Wire For Bonsai?

Yes, you can use copper wire from electrical cable scraps for first Bonsai. consider the thickness and, burn or scrape the insulation off the wire.

Annealed copper wire is easier to use. You can anneal it by heating it until it turns red. 

Then, let it cool slowly. During the annealing process, the wire becomes more flexible due to the alignment of the molecules.

 As the wire is wound, it hardens, realigning the molecules. Due to surface oxidation, the cooled wire takes on a dull, rusty color. 

The rust color disappears when the wire is handled. It becomes more flexible, and you can evaluate it by flexing it slightly a few times. The harder you flex it, the stiffer it becomes.

You should not use recycled copper wire because it has flat spots that can damage a branch if wrapped around it.

 Additionally, telephone cables and galvanized wires are unsuitable for wiring bonsai trees.

Wire To Stay Away From When Choosing Bonsai Wire: How To Choose Bonsai Wine

 It would help if you did not use iron or steel wire for wiring bonsai trees for the following reasons:

• Iron or steel wire is too difficult to bend when wrapped around branches and can be very difficult to work with.
• Galvanized steel is also too hard to bend and is used to wrap around branches.
• It will rust over time, and its resistance will decrease.
• Because of rust, it will leave stains on the bark of a Bonsai tree.

How Thick Should Bonsai Wire Be

A common question that bonsai artists usually ask is: “What size wire should be used to wire bonsai trees?”. ” 

Often, if you are a beginner, you are likely to be working with young trees. So, 1-2mm thick wire is ideal for young trees.

Normally, bonsai wires are available in sizes ranging from 1mm to 6mm.

To carry out your wiring work, you must equip yourself with a range of wires with diameters ranging from 0.5 mm to 0.5 mm. 

The range of wire sizes will depend on your bonsai tree:

• For small trees ( Mame, Shohin ): wires from 1 mm to 3.5 mm should allow you to carry out most of your work;
• For larger trees, you will also need wires from 3.5 mm to 6 mm.

Throughout my research in the bonsai world, I have come across several books and authors That provide a general rule for The Size of the bonsai wire.

Generally, the wire should be ⅓ the thickness of the branch to be wired.

If the branch is 1 cm thick, the wire must be 33 millimeters thick.  But this suggestion has a major technical error. 

Assume that all woods have the same hardness and elasticity. Which, we know, is not true.

You can have a 1 cm thick branch from a Durantha and a Juniperus. Both of the same thickness, but they do not have the same hardness or the same elasticity. 

The thinner wire will likely work for the Juniperus (due to its flexibility) and the thicker wire for the Durantha.

But don’t worry, I have a Simple technique to avoid making mistakes when selecting the thickness of the wire.

Read more: how to choose bonsai pot read now.

How To Choose Wire Thickness For Bonsai Tree Simple Test To Carry Out

1.- Hold the wire as if it were a pencil.

2.- Apply pressure with the wire on the branch you want to bend. Here, we can have two results:

a) When you press the branch with the wire, it bends, and the branch stays still: the wire is very thin, and you should look for a thicker one.

b) On the contrary, the branch moves, and the wire does not: the thickness of the wire is indicated.

With this simple technique, you can select the wire’s appropriate thickness, considering the hardness and elasticity of the branch you want to wire.

The simplest solution is always the best one in Bonsai. Take the exam, and you’ll find out.

Read more: how to fertilize bonsai tree read now.

Summary Of The Simple Test To Check Your Choice Of Bonsai Wire

Take your thread 10 or 15 cm from the end. Press it against the branch to be ligated.

• If the wire bends, it is too weak; choose a larger diameter;
• If the branch bends too strongly, try a thinner wire.

Conclusion To How To Choose Bonsai Wire

Knowing how to choose bonsai wire is very important. Therefore, annealed Copper and anodized aluminum are the best choices for bonsai wiring.

It would help if you didn’t wire a sick bonsai tree. If you want to know more about wiring a bonsai tree, read how to wire a bonsai tree. Read it now.

Remember, the wire comes in different sizes, and the Size determines the size of the tree You are about to wire.

If you don’t know how to choose a bonsai tree, read how to choose a Bonsai tree by clicking here.