Fagus Sylvatica Tree

[BobbyLane]

The lovely spring leaves are out now!

Inspired by one of @leatherback s videos on Beech pruning,
Ive been removing the growing tip on each branch, to encourage buds further back to open. Ive left 2 to 3 leaves where ive done this...

 

[BobbyLane]

I didn't notice it before, but this Beech has some prominent Copper colour...


The remaining leaves after pruning out the growing tips, are larger now...

 

[BobbyLane]

Someone asked if id make reductions in the crown.
Ive just took out a section of the right trunk. Which to the eye, stops it from moving right and pushes it up. I like the change...

 

[BobbyLane]

I also tightened the ziptie slightly, to bring the two trunks closer togther. In a bid to create more harmony

 

[BobbyLane]

Its been a month on, since pruning out the growing tips. Im getting another flush.

Not quite as expected though. Rather than buds opening further back down branches, they're emerging from the points where I removed the growing tips.
I think this could be down to me not following the procedure to a letter. I got into a habit of using scissors to cut out the tip while leaving behind a little stalk. Seems like the key is to completely pinch out the tip taking the stalk with it!

Oh well, plenty of time to get it right,


Probably wont attempt anymore pinching for this season and will try it again next season

 

[BobbyLane]

This section of trunk has been bothering me


I felt I could remove that section of trunk, while maintaining the same height.

Bringing the main trunk inwards, in more harmony with the left trunk now.

I think this will be the final reduction in the main trunk. Now there's a little more taper and a direction change.

I like how the tree is shaping up. I love the little bit of deadwood. I see this a lot when looking up into the crown of trees..

 

[BobbyLane]

This one is evolving and had a few considerable cut backs over this growing season. The taper in the trunks has improved dramatically. I decided on removing the sucker. I felt like it was drawing energy away from the main tree. I may grow up a third trunk now and turn the tree at an angle for depth, middle trunk more in rear. So the base isnt as wide from this new view. But that should change after I repot in spring into a shallow, wider training pot (Clem style!) and tweak the roots a bit.

There is an option to not keep the third trunk and stick with the main two. Both options are 'tree like forms', will see how it progresses.
This has been a fun project so far, the tree just keeps growing.






The wiring is crude, but it serves its purpose, positions the trunks just where I want them, without fear of scraping the bark up or it cutting in too quickly!

 

[BobbyLane]

I ended up removing the lowest shoot, will concentrate the growth on a main trunk that splits into two.
Eventually there'll be a small hollow in tallest trunk...

There is a new shoot emerging from the bottom of the chop, this will be allowed to form part of the crown and help facilitate callusing around edges of new hollow.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Make sure you are repotting every year and working on those roots. If you keep the roots from overgrowing and focus on beefing up the radial surface roots, you will also reduce your foliage internodes and leaf size. If you let the roots run free and do heavy pruning, you will get coarse, lanky growth.

I personally would have stopped at the tree in pic #25, worked the roots, and grew out the apex significantly to increase the main trunk caliper. A little more thickness in that primary trunk, and I think the other two trunks would have come into perspective. Just my opinion

 

[BobbyLane]

Make sure you are repotting every year and working on those roots. If you keep the roots from overgrowing and focus on beefing up the radial surface roots, you will also reduce your foliage internodes and leaf size. If you let the roots run free and do heavy pruning, you will get coarse, lanky growth.

I personally would have stopped at the tree in pic #25, worked the roots, and grew out the apex significantly to increase the main trunk caliper. A little more thickness in that primary trunk, and I think the other two trunks would have come into perspective. Just my opinion

Appreciate your input Greg!
The roots definitely need working now, was tempted to have a look today, but may put it off until spring.
There is one root on left getting too fat.

I agree about the image in 25, as a multi trunk kind of feel. My enthusiasm often gets the better of me.
Still, I like the way its headed, its a look that ive tried before. This tree has the bones to pull it off.

 

[BobbyLane]

Did a little late summer rootwork.
The air layer was really good to me. Nice set of healthy roots here. Removed all the sphagnum moss from under the tree. Its been placed back in the same container. But on a board so the roots can really spread out and contribute to dragging the base out. There's a slightly heavy root on the left and a thinner one directly underneath it, out of view. I contemplated removing the heavier root but instead reduced it closer to the trunk, it seems to be contributing to widening the base so will access it in a year or so. Next time ill likely go a bit harder on cutting back the the roots.


I also drill holes into the board for better drainage. Ive not seen anyone discussing this. But it gives me piece of mind to know there's no chance of a board without holes slowing drainage