Trident wiring

[typoolVT]

Sooo all my leaves are off now and I wired up some of the branches. I just got a few books in the mail and as I read it said to resist from wiring in winter. Oops well I did and I was wondering if that was ok or should I take the wire off and save it for spring time before buds swell?

 

[berobinson82]

Hey neighbor!

On first glance:

Aluminum would save you a few bucks and scar a bit less since the wire you use would be a bit thicker; read, more surface area to spread out the contact.

Quite a few folks on this forum wire after leaf drop. Be sure to check those wires as the tree starts to push hard in... where you are, probably late April to early May.

It seems you wired quite a few branches that were too long when cutting them back hard would be a better way of inducing ramification. (You should read and re-read smoke's posts on tridents) (Now go over them again)

Google Image search is your friend. Look at 200 pictures and go back to your tree. Try and find 200 more. Search for images, blog posts, youtube videos of wiring/styling maples (did i mention smoke's posts yet?)

Did you say you found a club yet?

Keep practicing your wiring and try and keep the wires at a 45 degree angle. Avoid gaps if you can. Oh and if you wire a branch and bend it... BEND it!

Stick around.

-B

 

[Poink88]

Oh and if you wire a branch and bend it... BEND it!

LOL. I agree.

Avoid those smooth wave like bends. Also avoid single plane bending (left, right) and go for 3-D effect (random left, right, up, down and twists if possible).

 

[Paulkellum]

Taking it off to redo in spring is only going cause more damage than its worth. The bending has been done so just let it sit. But the tree grows fast in the spring and is going cut in fast. Even when u wire in summer it's harder because of leaves but growth is little slower. Even then the wire can cut in from 2 to 3 weeks it's why most use aluminum because your cutting it off so fast and reapplying so often. Good luck

 

[jkd2572]

I wire tridents after leaf drop. Don't see a problem with wiring after leaf drop. Build ramification by cutting back to first internode and start over from there. The idea is to make it look good with no leaves at some point. I would wire the branches flatter but I'm sure there will be much debate on that.

 

[typoolVT]

Thanks for all the support guys! berobinson82 I work on a golf course and I take all the leftover copper wire we use for irrigation (10/12 gauge) and after annealing, I use that. I usually buy my smaller wire for finer stuff. Anyways, Thanks for the input and I will work on my wiring A LOT because I need it!

Also, berobinson82 I did find a club close to where I live. Hinoki Bonsai Club of Roanoke,VA!

 

[sikadelic]

Also, berobinson82 I did find a club close to where I live. Hinoki Bonsai Club of Roanoke,VA!

Good old Roanoke! I have a lot of family there and have spent a good bit of time there myself.

Good luck! You have a great start with that trunk and the character it has. Fine branching will really make it pop. Keep us updated!

 

[berobinson82]

Thanks for all the support guys! berobinson82 I work on a golf course and I take all the leftover copper wire we use for irrigation (10/12 gauge) and after annealing, I use that. I usually buy my smaller wire for finer stuff. Anyways, Thanks for the input and I will work on my wiring A LOT because I need it!

Also, berobinson82 I did find a club close to where I live. Hinoki Bonsai Club of Roanoke,VA!

Well that's a very good reason to use copper wire! Keep us updated.

 

[typoolVT]

Update

Well I trimmed it up a bit so hopefully I'm on the right track. Go HOKIES!!

 

[JudyB]

much better. Just make sure that when you do prune, you do so thoughtfully -with future prospects in mind...

 

[Poink88]

Me I would trim to this and consider a ground layer later...
View attachment 44294

 

[macdad]

Me I would trim to this and consider a ground layer later...
View attachment 44294

I don't know anything about bonsai yet, but I would be careful... Dario is a Chopper! I do like what he is showing with the apex though.

 

[Poink88]

... I would be careful... Dario is a Chopper!

So true LOL but I hope he can see based on that "virt" why I proposed the chop. He can ask for clarification too if needed.