Wire Found at Base of Trunk

[99 Mile Creek]

I was investigating the nabari of the Japanese black pine, purchased at the beginning of the summer, when I found that wire was left around the tree’s trunk.

Was something like this by design? I’m familiar with intentionally causing wire-bite with pines, but I’m not sure they are supposed to be left permanently.

Should I remove this or let it grow over?

 

[Jrmcmich]

So I was at my local club meeting and this was actually recommended to leave and allow to grow over it to help thicken and such. I dont plan this myself but was taught as a option and even mentioned remembering when working on chops and such so not to ruin cutters

 

[Empty Mountain]

Is it tie down wire? Do the ends come out of the bottom of the pot?

 

[99 Mile Creek]

So I was at my local club meeting and this was actually recommended to leave and allow to grow over it to help thicken and such. I dont plan this myself but was taught as a option and even mentioned remembering when working on chops and such so not to ruin cutters

That’s interesting.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Not uncommon... a technique with pine is to allow wire to swell the trunk. That traditionally is left on. The tree swells around it. Doing no harm.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Is it tie down wire? Do the ends come out of the bottom of the pot?

I don’t know. I just took it from a plastic nursery pot and found that it ‘slip fit’ this pot almost perfectly, albeit a little high sitting. I haven’t done a proper repot.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Not uncommon... a technique with pine is to allow wire to swell the trunk. That traditionally is left on. The tree swells around it. Doing no harm.

I’ll need to look into wiring techniques and pine more. But thank you for the explanation.

 

[RozendaalArts]

It's not uncommon to leave it in, and wouldn't do any harm, though it has a feeling of heresy to me

 

[Jrmcmich]

That’s interesting.

Yeah I was Surprised when they were discussing it especially leaving it in. I have definitely heard of letting it swell on conifers but still usually removed

 

[leatherback]

very bad practice in my opinion to allow wire to be covered by bark. You run into all sorts of tool problems down the road.

Faster is not better, imho.
I know.. I have been put on ignore in several groups for voicing this unpopular opinion.

 

[Jrmcmich]

very bad practice in my opinion to allow wire to be covered by bark. You run into all sorts of tool problems down the road.

Faster is not better, imho.
I know.. I have been put on ignore in several groups for voicing this unpopular opinion.

I agree which is why I chose not to try this method. I would Be willing to allow wire to dig in on a conifer but won’t leave in place. I was surprised by that advice for sure especially after reading so much online and videos before I joined a local club

 

[WNC Bonsai]

This is a time honored practice both in Japan and the rest of the world as a result. When the wire cuts into the bark it creates reaction wood in response which swells the area around the wire thus speeding up the process of thickening the trunk. It is especially useful in areas where the trunk has been bent and twisted around itself as this disguises the spiraling created by the wire and reaction wood formation. If nit carreid down to below the soil layer it can result in reverse taper where the swelling forms above the trunk.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

This is a time honored practice both in Japan and the rest of the world as a result. When the wire cuts into the bark it creates reaction wood in response which swells the area around the wire thus speeding up the process of thickening the trunk. It is especially useful in areas where the trunk has been bent and twisted around itself as this disguises the spiraling created by the wire and reaction wood formation. If nit carreid down to below the soil layer it can result in reverse taper where the swelling forms above the trunk.

Thank you for the insight!

It’s reassuring knowing that it’s a traditional method. I’ll leave it be and let it grow over.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Looks like it could be at root base vs trunk? Thought I saw daylight through roots where wire is? Just wonder if restriction on root an issue long term?

 

[LeftHandLuke]

Same question as @Jrmcmich. It seems like this is different from that practice of keeping the bending wire in place. The fact that the wire hasn't been surrounded by the tree growth (the part in the photos) makes me wonder if it's causing harm.

 

[Cadillactaste]

very bad practice in my opinion to allow wire to be covered by bark. You run into all sorts of tool problems down the road.

Faster is not better, imho.
I know.. I have been put on ignore in several groups for voicing this unpopular opinion.

Food for thought. ...I really am more of a deciduous gal. But, I can see why your gerbil landed there.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I would try to remove it where you can get it out without damaging the trunk. I have seen this gradually kill branches and trunk sections over years.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Looks like it could be at root base vs trunk? Thought I saw daylight through roots where wire is? Just wonder if restriction on root an issue long term?

 

[99 Mile Creek]

I would try to remove it where you can get it out without damaging the trunk. I have seen this gradually kill branches and trunk sections over years.

Here are a few more photos. Only one section of it hasn’t grown over.

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Food for thought. ...I really am more of a deciduous gal. But, I can see why your gerbil landed there.

Definitely, me too. First time I've managed to keep a pine alive...but I had the sense to ask the right questions this time around and do some studying before working on it.

Quite satisfying seeing the buds coming through after decandling.