The basics of bonsai will tell you not to use copper wire. If that's what you have don't use it. You need to start with aluminum wire. Big difference! You will most likly damage your first tree trying to learn how to wire with copper. You may have annealed aluminum that looks like copper and that is what you need. Make sure of what you have before you start. If using aluminum your wire should be about 1/3 to 1/2 the dia of the branch you are wiring.

Plenty of us learned on copper wire. It may be all that's readily available. I use both Al and Cu, but still prefer Cu. If you use copper, just be sure it is annealed. It's diameter should be about 1/3 that of the branch.

When I went to my first Bonsai Intensive with Boon Manakitivipart, he set me to wiring a collected Mendocino cypress (using copper as we always do on conifers). It took me two and a half days of the three day class to make it acceptable to him. I wired the tree three times. Of course I excused my atrocious wiring skills by claiming never to have used copper wire.

My next project was a cork oak, which of course needed aluminum wire. Not surprisingly, my work was no better there. The essential thing in wiring is not to learn it from books. You must get some hands-on training from someone who REALLY knows their stuff.

I have had folks with the most tangled mess I have ever seen on their trees tell me that they have been wiring for 30 years, and that they teach wiring. Your wiring should be both effective and beautiful if you want to advance in your knowledge and pleasure of the art of bonsai.

Chris

Here is a link that might be useful: Wiring photos, text, and short video

Thanks for the input. I have one more follow-up question: My bonsai was bought in a small pot already. In order for my tree to start growing a sizable trunk i need to grow a large root system. I cant find good soil to use for this. I stopped at Wal-Mart and they have only flower soil and garden soil. Anyone have any tips? I know the texture and the fact that it needs a large surface area and to let good water flow, but where do i buy or get it from?

I make my own because of the high cost and low quality of most purchased bonsai soil. Mind you, my soil components aren't cheap, but this recipe is the highest quality bonsai soil in the world.

Chris

Here is a link that might be useful: Bonsai soil recipe