Shaping Japanese Maple with Guy Wire

In this video, we will show you how to use guy wires to shape a pre-bonsai Japanese maple tree to create a fundamental secondary branch structure which is key to develop further secondary and tertiary branches. Using guy wires to put the structure in place prevents wires from biting in and creating permanent scars on the branches. The combination of guy wires and good pruning, you can create beautifully shaped Japanese maple bonsai trees!
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[@carynludwig6667]

Great anchoring tip! Thanks for posting! 👍

[@MomijiEn]

Thanks for watching! Glad to hear it was helpful!

[@tee_ef_em]

Great tip anchoring the wire to the pot.

[@graciebonsai7272]

I really like your guying method using screws in the pot. I've been experimenting using the outer sheath of paracord over wire instead of plastic or rubber tubing. So far, so good. More details can be found on my website if you are interested.

[@MomijiEn]

Thank you! I think that's also an interesting and good material to use to gently move branches for deciduous trees. 🙂 I subscribed your channel!

[@mdnymph]

Will this technique work on a 15’ Japanese Maple tree? It grew from under a taller tree and now that the taller tree has to be removed there’s a big gap on one side of the canopy. I’m thinking about trying to ratchet the branches toward the gap but I’m not sure if it’ll work on full sized mature branches.

[@ceramicmonster]

Could you tell us the gauge of wire used?

[@MomijiEn]

I think I was using aluminum wire 1.0mm and/or 1.5mm