Wire

RonMartin(deceased)

Looking through my notes I found this short thing I wrote on number one wire a while ago. Just thought I would throw it out there and see what kind of comments I would get in return.
Ron

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Over the years I have styled many trees. some good , some bad , some indifferent. Most have pleased me if no one else. I have always hesitated in using too much wire. Lazy I guess. Always have to check that stuff and make sure it isn't cutting in. Lots of work there.

Most of my teachers have gotten onto me about this. I kept my mouth shut and muttered under my breath that they must have stock in some wire company or the other. The latest of these to get onto me was our old friend Colin Lewis.
I watched a few of Colin's demos and heard him preach that the first thing one must do is get control of the tree. Place everything where you want it then build on from there.

Anyway, I got to thinking about it and the other day I sat down with two junipers that I had setting around the shop. Not great stock but available.... Six hours later I was done. Every branch had wire. Even the smallest one. I carefully placed each branch into what I thought was a good position.

Stepping back I was astounded. I might be the only one to say this but each tree was perfect. They looked ancient. They have a long way to go and I guess many more pounds of wire but to me they are gorgeous.

What surprised me the most was how much 1.0 mm wire I used. A lot more than any other size. I do think that I have a new hero. That lowly piece of 1.0 mm wire. We shall do a lot together.

After 30 some years in bonsai one would have figured that I would have learned this lesson long ago.

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