Wiring Strategy The key to professional standard wiring Pride in the quality of your wiring will lead to better workmanship and better results. Good wiring is kinder to the tree, more efficient and uses less wire.  The key is to think ahead: plan how and where the second and third strands of wire will be applied before applying the first.  And try to implement the "slingshot" principle as explained below. •Any fork in a branch can be interpreted as a slingshot. Any of the three 'arms' of the fork can be interpreted as the handle of the slingshot, regardless of the angles between the three arms. •Begin wiring by passing the wire around the 'handle' of the slingshot and bringing it between the two 'arms' in the same direction. •Continue to the next (or next appropriate) fork and coil  one full turn around one of the arms, then stop that piece of wire. This anchors that 'arm' to the 'handle'. •Begin the next piece of wire by laying it alongside the first (it can be either above or below the first wire) and wire to the next fork in each 'arm', continuing one full turn around one 'arm' of each of the next forks. •At the very tips of the shoots, using the finest wire, make a small, neat loop to prevent the wire spontaneously uncoiling and to enable accurate positioning of all the terminal buds (especially important on most pines). NB: Generally there should be no point on any branch where there are more than two, or at most three strands of wire.  REMEMBER - PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! This diagram will help you remember the principle of the "slingshot" which is the basis of wiring strategy.