Prunus Yoshino Wiring

[logjam]

Hi Everyone!

I just received this Cherry Blossom sapling and am so excited for it. I don’t have a ton of experience with flowering trees just yet, and want to make sure I am not putting too much stress on this tree with the wiring I am doing. Will attach an image

Also any general advice for this tree is MUCH appreciated!

 

[River's Edge]

Hi Everyone!

I just received this Cherry Blossom sapling and am so excited for it. I don’t have a ton of experience with flowering trees just yet, and want to make sure I am not putting too much stress on this tree with the wiring I am doing. Will attach an image

Also any general advice for this tree is MUCH appreciated!

The wire is anchored incorrectly and thus will distribute the pressure poorly. That type of anchor will also cut off the circulation and scar your trunk quickly. The proper way to anchor the wire is to place it into the soil several inches on an angle away from the trunk to begin the wiring. You have not noted your location so it is difficult to know what season it is in your location. Based on the picture I believe you have applied the wire out of season as well.
From the picture and the roots escaping above ground and below ground it would appear that the most effective way to begin would be to repot the sapling at an angle and consider wiring later after recovery and during the growing season.
Just a few quick comments.

 

[logjam]

Thank you!! I took the wire off and will repot I’m in NYC things are starting to warm up. What season do you recommend for wiring?

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

You should be good to wire once the buds begin to push. However this is also the time buds can be broken off, so one must be careful. The wire size should be at least 1/2 the size of the tree diameter to get a decent bend, vs a curve. Wiring takes practice.

Alternatively, and highly recommend this for the first time, repot on a slant as @River's Edge mentioned, wait for the tree to fully leaf off, then prune off the trunk above a branch that is going off on a sharp angle / a pleasing direction.

Once the new branch creates branchlets, do the same thing…. Repeat over time. This is creating a structure by clip and grow. Do the same for the branchlets coming off the main trunk. It will take a bit more time, but this procedure will create a markedly better bonsai over time. If you don’t want to wait, use wire for the structure.

The tree ought to be repotted on an angle now.. Would use the next size container. Looks like a 2” maybe, now so use a 3” also called a 4” same style container. Match the media with the media in use.

Cheers
DSD sends