Question about wire

As stupid as it sounds, I was just wondering if its okay to use thinner gauges of steel wire on junipers or whether the steel could potentially cause problems for the plant further down the track?

Problem with wires other than copper and aluminum is they are not malleable enough. Some like steel are much stronger but hard to work with and may cause unwanted bark damage during wiring. Some also spring back and refuse to take the shape you want. Rust or corrosion is also a concern. All in all, I won't suggest using it.

BTW, I do use tie wires which are plastic coated steel wires for guy wires and they work great.

Steel wire can react with conifer sap. if the wires cut in this interaction can cause Black rot which can result in death of the tree as it spreads throughout the tissue.

Use copper or aluminum.
-Jay

hi,
for wrapping around branches as above - copper and or aluminium.

For serious tension wires steel is better even than copper - it is much stronger - I had 2.5mm copper wire snap when bending the needle juniper trunk and had to use doubled 3mm to take the strain as i had no steel. (Aluminium wire is useless for guy and tension wires - it slowly stretches under load so the branches start going back where they were, or you need it so thick it looks bad)

over time you end up with a selection of wire and results are best using the right one for the job

cheers Marcus