American Beech should I dig this up?

[NashsMan]

I came here looking for information on American Beech. I found this little tree on the edge of some power lines and thought it looked very interesting. As a beginner I'm a little intimidated by what everyone is saying in regards to keeping A.B. as a bonsai. Maybe I'll leave it alone and collect it in a few years after I have gained some experience. This tree is not growing anywhere near any other beech trees. There is a large grove further down the power lines, but they are about a half mile away.

I'd love some advice or opinions if anyone has any input. The first two pics are from the "front side" and the third picture is taken from the opposite side.

Thanks in advance for any information or advice. I have thoroughly read through his whole thread very carefully so no need to retype anything that's already been offered. for context, i am located in Southern Maine ( Zone 5B ).


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As @Gabler said, as long as you're willing to be patient you shouldn't be intimidated.
And that's a great little beech and a perfect time to collect it!

 

[MaineChowder]

Thank you both ( @PerryB & @Gabler ) for the reply. I will go back and dig it up and then be VERY patient. You have both have restored my confidence!

 

[JohnnyUtah]

 

[JohnnyUtah]

This AB did really really well last year so I sort of slip potted it in feb into better soil and a more solid grow box. I did not remove any roots and it had developed a ton of new fibrous roots. I am planning to chop either everything hardens off say late June or wait until Fall. I really want to do a more unconventional chop (the yellow lines) more of a shaping chop. Or just to the sort of standard chop in red. Is it dumb to do the yellow? Would love your thoughts.

I am

 

[JohnnyUtah]

Just posting again to bring back up. What do yall think of the pruning ideas?

 

[NashsMan]

Just posting again to bring back up. What do yall think of the pruning ideas?

The yellow chops will leave you with that very straight trunk section above your red mark: Chop at the red line.

 

[BobbyLane]

Really depends on the rootspread for me. Also I wouldnt do the two Yellow chops to make taper. The Red line in first image looks ok if youre certain thats gonna be the front. I mean, you could just chop in stages to see what looks good, in the second image chop at yellow.

then if thats not working try here and so fourth

So is the tree secure in the pot for a chop? Looks like you have a layer on it!

 

[JohnnyUtah]

Really depends on the rootspread for me. Also I wouldnt do the two Yellow chops to make taper. The Red line in first image looks ok if youre certain thats gonna be the front. I mean, you could just chop in stages to see what looks good, in the second image chop at yellow.

then if thats not working try here and so fourth

So is the tree secure in the pot for a chop? Looks like you have a layer on it!

Thank you very much and good idea. It is a good ways away from being a finished tree so why not try a few things in the way there. The root spread could be better I am trying to get one to two more roots to shoot out from one of the sides. That is the added layer of spag and soil in the second pot rim.

The yellow chop lines are in a really strange place on the tree. The top of the trunk almost flattens out and there are two old wounds up there from where the area I found it was logged. I’ll start with that chop then move down the tree if it looks weird.

Ok to chop this summer after growth hardens off or should I wait until fall?

 

[Stormwater]

great start. American Beach is the ONLY tree my wife wants me to get. I've been unable to locate one for sale, or find one to dig (that I think will survive). Great start and thanks for sharing.

 

[BobbyLane]

Thank you very much and good idea. It is a good ways away from being a finished tree so why not try a few things in the way there. The root spread could be better I am trying to get one to two more roots to shoot out from one of the sides. That is the added layer of spag and soil in the second pot rim.

The yellow chop lines are in a really strange place on the tree. The top of the trunk almost flattens out and there are two old wounds up there from where the area I found it was logged. I’ll start with that chop then move down the tree if it looks weird.

Ok to chop this summer after growth hardens off or should I wait until fall?

Yes.

I think its tedious just hoping one or two new roots might pop up, I would just do a full ground layer and give the entire base a reset, doesnt look like whats there is worth preserving, I can only see one root from one side!

Have you thought about a layer at this point? Do you like the deadwood? Do you see it as a feature or not?

I mean, if you can pull that off, you get a really interesting, chunky Beech with lots of branches to work with. Well placed low branches. Could develop into a multi trunk.

 

[BobbyLane]

just randoms from fb

 

[BobbyLane]

This is one I attempted that failed, it didnt survive the winter after I reset the layer. But it will give you an idea of how to position a layer at an angle under the branches I showed you

Thread 'Fagus Sylvatica'

May 1, 2023

Here's a Green Beech I picked up last week..
the plan is to begin a layer on it as the buds start popping. Ive been positioning primary branches up n out, with guy wire, to allow light into every twig and to get a feel for it, I think im going to layer it at a slant... Under the 3 low branches rather than the 2. I think over time those 3 branches should help the base to swell up nicely.

• BobbyLane
• Replies: 17
• Forum: Other Deciduous

• 

Mach5 did a similar angle on this one

Thread 'MULTI-TRUNK JAPANESE BEECH'

Apr 26, 2019

This Japanese white beech was purchased two years ago from Julian Adams. The tree was offered for a very reasonable price. It had a well developed top but for me the trunk was uninteresting and too tall. The nebari was also quite poor. The only way to make the best out of this material was to air layer it. The challenge was to do it successfully. Japanese beech can be difficult to air layer well. Despite this, I went ahead with it since it was the only way I was going to be able to maximize its potential.

Below is the tree as it looked at the time of purchase.






In opted...

• MACH5
• Replies: 102
• Forum: Other Deciduous

• 

 

[Mike Westervelt]

How about halfway between your red and yellow chops? make the branch that curves up sharply your new leader.

Agree the yellow chops are not ideal, already has reverse taper up there, scars may heal eventually but the resulting healing would likely cause more swelling.