Bonsai wire is aluminum wire or copper wire that can be used to reshape the trunk, branches and twigs into more aesthetically pleasing shapes. Bonsai wire also finds use in the task of transplanting when it is used to create wire staples to secure drainage screen and to make tie-down wires to secure the tree in the bonsai container. Bonsai wire can also used to make turnbuckles.

Contrary to popular belief, bonsai wire is not used to bind branches and restrict their growth. The wire serves to support the branch or trunk and hold it into place until sufficient growth has occurred that will stabilize the shape into a permanent form.

Both copper and aluminum wire are used to wire bonsai so that the branches and trunk may be trained.

Copper wire is a stronger material, and it is annealed to make it soft enough to apply to branches. As it is bent it work-hardens and becomes more rigid and resistant to bending. This is why copper wire cannot be reused or repositioned once it has been applied to your bonsai.

If you walk into a hardware store electrical center, they will have several spools of bright shiny copper wire, and you might be tempted to purchase and use it for your bonsai. You would find that it is very difficult to bend, because it hasn't been yet been annealed.

There is some information here on the annealing process
Aluminum wire, on the other hand, is not annealed. It is significantly softer than copper wire, and has less holding power, but it can be repositioned somewhat, so many beginners prefer to use it until they have developed some expertise at applying wire. Aluminum is also the preferred wire choice of many professionals for some thin-barked trees like azalea, where the raw holding power of copper isn't as important as the flexibility of aluminum.

Because aluminum is naturally a silver color, it is often treated by an eletrochemical process called anodization to give it a brownish color similar to copper wire. It's easy to tell the difference because the core will still be silver, and the color, a metallic brown, is unobtrusive, but not really that similar to the appearance of annealed copper wire, which is a dark, dull red when applied and becomes darker with time.
You can buy and anneal your own copper wire, or purchase aluminum or copper wire that has been pre-annealed for bonsai work.

Just reading through that I didn't realise that the wire that is used is made of Aliminium, I don't really understand why they have to change the colour of the wire from the natural sivler to brown.

i thought the wire was made of copper thats why its orangy brown, but if its alumineum mabye that colour blends best into the colour of the tree so its not so noticable

You can annale copper wire by coilling it losely together then place it atop a few twisted together pieces of newspapper. Ten burn the news papper, thus annaling your copper wire! Be shure to let it cool before you use it, good luck.

You can annale copper wire by coilling it losely together then place it atop a few twisted together pieces of newspapper. Ten burn the news papper, thus annaling your copper wire! Be shure to let it cool before you use it, good luck.
This method will not annale the wire properly. Burning newspaper will not get it hot enough.
A friend of mine does his own annaling and uses an electric kiln. 1300 degrees F.

Hello,
Wiring is sometimes seen as another form of bonsai torture for these little trees but it is really no different to staking or espaliering fruit trees. The wire is only on for a short time; long enough to set the branch in the new position and then it is removed. It is quite possible to create a perfectly acceptable tree without wiring using a clip and grow technique but the use of wire speeds up the whole process and allows you more flexibility in your design.
With the use of wire, straight trunks or branches can be given more realistic movement. Young branches can be wired into a horizontal or downward position to create the illusion of maturity. Foliage or branching can be moved to 'fill in' bare areas of the trees silhouette. Without wiring, the enthusiast would otherwise have to wait for shoots to grow in the desired direction. With wiring, existing growth can be manipulated there instead.
Bonsai wire is normally only available from Bonsai Nurseries and Online Shops. It is available as anodised aluminium or annealed copper; aluminium wire is generally easier to apply for beginners and can be reused (though this is not recommended). Copper wire is more difficult to apply but has more holding power. Once it is has set into position it cannot be re-used. Wire cutters are also necessary for removing wire from branches and for cutting suitable lengths. Bonsai wire cutters are available but ordinary wire cutters are adequate if the wire can be cut at the very end of the cutters jaws.
The wire you use must be thick enough to bend the branch effectively and for it to remain in position but thin enough for the wired branch to be manipulated and for neatness.



Thanks. :)