by John Boyce | Oct 29th, 06Some notes on Using Guy wire on Branches
Guying is done by several different methods, the most common of which are outlined here:
1. Guying an outer branch to the pot: Stretch a #16 copper wire by jerking it with two pair of pliers (it is easier if you have two people.) Fold the wire in half and then make a 90 degree bend on the folded end to form a hook and insert it in a drain hole (around the outside of the pot) below the branch you are bringing down. Then bring the two ends of wire up tightly around the pot. Keeping tension on it will ensure that the hook inside the drain hole doesn’t slip out. Then go over the branch that you are guying with one end of the wire, using a small plastic tube over the wire to protect the branch. Bring the end down to meet the other end and twist them together. Bending the branch down somewhat before you connect them will ensure that you don’t have to twist endlessly to get the branch down. If all the pulling can’t be done at once because the branch is too stiff, go part way, wait a month, and do more. Repeat until the branch is in the desired position. Because the branch will likely spring back somewhat when released, bend it down further than the position ultimately desired. Be sure to make all guying look neat so that the tree can be shown.
2. Guying down inner branches works differently. Stretch the wire as above and anchor the end on the outside of the pot in the direction of the branch. With the other end of the wire go up through the root ball and up over the branch, protecting again with tubing, and guy it down. Move it in increments as above until the branch is in the desired position.
3. Guying a small branch to a strong root may also be done: Stretch the wire as above and protect the branch and root with pieces of tubing. Bend the branch down as wanted in several steps if necessary. Take care that the root is stronger than the branch and that the root is properly anchored in the pot.
4. Guying one small branch to another: Use a #18 copper wire for this. Loop the wire twice around the two branches, using tubing to protect them. Twist the two ends of the wire together to bring the branches to the desired position. Add more twist each month until the correct position is achieved.
5. Bracing branches to spread them apart can be done with heavy wire bent in a Z shape the width of the spread you want. Curve the ends of the wire to fit the curve of the branches. Move the wire Z down the branches toward the junction to achieve greater spread if necessary. Another way of doing this is by using a small branch or cutoff. Shape the ends to match the profile of the branches or trunks being braced. Wedge the piece between the branches. It will blend in better than wire or any other material because it is the same color and texture as the rest of the tree. Using larger pieces to brace where there is more pressure between the branches will avoid excessive swelling of the branch around the brace.
6. Rebar is also used for guying, but it is more difficult to explain because the methods vary greatly depending on the situation.
7. Specialized branch bending mechanisms available from bonsai vendors can be used in conjunction with guying to even greater effect.