Beeches, are yours awake yet??

[atlarsenal]

 

[atlarsenal]

 

[coachspinks]

I think mine is starting. It was repotted so it may be even a little more behind.

 

[parhamr]

Here in Portland my European Beech has swollen buds but they haven't yet broken open. The same is true for the European Beech up at Bonsai Northwest in Seattle, WA.

 

[coachspinks]

I see green today.

 

[_#1_]

This is the second year for this seedling. Went through its first winter just fine. I expected larger leaves for something with such large buds

 

[leatherback]

I expected larger leaves for something with such large buds

wait for them t unfold fully..

 

[Potawatomi13]

Oaks, Ash, Maple yes. Beech still NO.

 

[coachspinks]

wait for them t unfold fully..

Mine is now fully awake and the leaves are huge! I will try to take a picture later today.

 

[flor1]

One started yesterday the other ones still pouting about being repotted.

 

[Bonsaidoorguy]

Mines just popping now. I'm relieved of the last of my winter worries.

 

[leatherback]

2 out of 5 are opening buds today.

 

[coachspinks]

Here is mine this morning. I bought this tree over the winter and repotted it. I did a fair amount of root reduction but did very little else to the tree. The leaves are way too big. What next? Do I leave it alone this year? Can I defoliate the same year as repotting? How about cutting back the extending shoots? I know that Beech require some difference care vs most other deciduous trees.

 

[Gsquared]

Mine hasn’t opened yet up here in the PNW. Even when I lived in SoCal the European Beech was the last to bud out. Usually right at the beginning of May.

 

[Gsquared]

Here is mine this morning. I bought this tree over the winter and repotted it. I did a fair amount of root reduction but did very little else to the tree. The leaves are way too big. What next? Do I leave it alone this year? Can I defoliate the same year as repotting? How about cutting back the extending shoots? I know that Beech require some difference care vs most other deciduous trees.

Pinch down to two leaves on each bud while the leaves are just coming out. I’ve NEVER defoliated a beech. It isn’t normal practice to my knowledge. Think of beeches like a single flush pine. You very rarely get more significant growth once the spring flush has hardened off.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Pinch down to two leaves on each bud while the leaves are just coming out. I’ve NEVER defoliated a beech. It isn’t normal practice to my knowledge. Think of beeches like a single flush pine. You very rarely get more significant growth once the spring flush has hardened off.

Pinching these as they’re opening seems to weaken them unnecessarily, unless you’re planning to show them soon.
There is a fall defoliation technique to encourage back-budding, but that’s a different technique.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

@coachspinks Harry Harrington's "bonsai inspiration I" has some techniques he used for European beech. Perhaps check out his website for some guidance.

http://www.bonsai4me.com/

 

[coachspinks]

@coachspinks Harry Harrington's "bonsai inspiration I" has some techniques he used for European beech. Perhaps check out his website for some guidance.

http://www.bonsai4me.com/

I was reading that one earlier today! It was a big help. Thanks,

 

[Potawatomi13]

AHA! 4/22/19 signs of life!

 

[g-gioffs]

I’m worried for my Am. Beech. I’ve had it training in the ground for 2 years. There is a plastic lid with holes ,6 inches under the roots, hoping to splay the roots out. I did trim it back a little a few months ago. This winter wasn’t that harsh, ( we’re in Delaware). I feel like it should have pushed out by now. I plan on taking it out of the ground and putting it in a training pot, ( should of done it last year). How do I tell if it’s alive, scratch the trunk?