When to remove Wire?

[fore]

How long do I leave wire on Shimpaku's, RMJ, JBP, and Ponderosa Pines? For instance, the RMJ lg. gauge wire has been on 10.5mos, but doesn't look to be biting in. My smaller PP has had the wire on over a yr., and also doesn't look to be biting in. Last fall, I took off some wire that looked to be biting in a little, and the shape gave way some, so I rewired it that part.

Just seems you can leave the wire on for a long time on some of these, and it is a bit harder to see it biting in, vs. deciduous trees at least to me.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Poink88]

Watch Graham Potter address this "burning" question...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O52p9KOpKuc
"Time is immaterial...it is the (sapwood) growth that dictates when to remove the wire..."

 

[yenling83]

It can depend on the level of refinement of the tree, the trees age and which goals you are working towards. With Conifer you want the wire to bite in a bit in order for the branch to set. Usually take off after 1-3 years. The faster the tree or branch/apex is growing the less time the wire will stay on the area.

Good post on the subject:
http://crataegus.com/2012/12/04/wire-woes-when-to-remove-wire/

 

[fore]

LOL Dario, I had forgotten I'd seen that over a yr ago. Thanks for the link!

And "excellent", Thanks Yenling. Michael knows his stuff.