Wiring Fundamentals

Two methods—(1) Wire trunk from bottom to top, larger wire, then branches bottom to top with appropriate wire size, then finer branches; (2) Wire trunk from bottom to top, larger wire, then focus on one major branch and down the the finer branches—move to the next major branch.
Use the correct wire size (i.e. 1/3 the branch size or if dual wiring step down one size.
Wrap wire in one direction, but to branches should be opposite direction from each other.
Okay to cross wires if both going in the SAME direction, try to hide any crossing behind the trunk or branch. Mostly cosmetic.

Note:

Wherever I bought my copper wire, don’t buy from them again. Too stiff—may end up causing a slip up on technique or harm the tree.
Practice, practice, practice. Should get wiring down first before worrying about seasonal care or styling. Bring back wired examples at the next workshop for feedback.

Removed most of the #10 wire and added a #6 (did not have #8). It was very stiff and hard to wrap closely—something to improve.

Beefier wires but still hard to bend—may need skilled plier bending at specific wraps of the wire.

My hornbeam was repotted prior to receiving it and it was a half repot (left some original soil)—Spring 2027 repot.
Don’t worry about leaves, looks okay.
Cut back for ramification back to 1-2 leaves, directional pruning.
Can let lower branches and foliage grow out if thickening.
Prior removal of a branch is healing too much—clean up and make a concavity and use the pink (non-hormone) sealant.

Vigorous growth.
Top to bottom, reduce and slow growth—cut back to 1-2 leaves. Prune odd directional branches. Avoid long internodes.

Cut back to last year’s needles, removing this year’s growth to stimulate bud & bifurcation.
If the candle has no needles below, cut back to the prior needles, even if it goes through a branch or bifucation. Or remove that candle at the base.
Only have one sacrifice branch and let it grow long, reduce needles, but do not de-handled.
There might be the case of the next leader, so do not de-candle that branch
Can reduce some needles. Can shape the foliar mass, since it will not really help this next phase of development.
If the sacrificial branch has multiple candles, reduced to just the one on top.