Newly Collected American Hornbeam

[JoeR]

Although these are understory trees, I’ve grown it under full sun and under subtle shade- and I’d say the leaves look significantly nicer, healthier under shade. It’s one of my fastest growing trees, pretty bulletproof honestly.

Should have chopped at the red line. I couldn’t find the sawzall to chop it!

 

[JoeR]

Left the wire on the third trunk too long, had to restart that. Repot and grafted more future trunks to the massive root as I didn’t see any other way to solve that issue, should be effective. Coming along nicely.

 

[JoeR]

Haircut and a little wiring. I will rework this tree after the leaves fall when it is easier to see the form, removing the top portion of the large tree and creating a new apex. I wanted to get the vranches set with some movement before then.

The primary and secondary trunks need to be spaced further, but with the density of the wood Im not sure how well anything I do will set. Those are approach grafts at the bottom right.

The tree will be rotated counterclockwise from the drawn virtual.

 

[JoeR]

@Zach Smith I know collecting A. Hornbeam is best before bud break, and you've probably answered this before but I couldn't find it, do you similarly repot established potted trees before buds even swell or is it not as critical at this point? This is what the buds look like now.

Angle change, wire,, and repot very soon, will update with better pictures afterwards

 

[Zach Smith]

@Zach Smith I know collecting A. Hornbeam is best before bud break, and you've probably answered this before but I couldn't find it, do you similarly repot established potted trees before buds even swell or is it not as critical at this point? This is what the buds look like now.

Angle change, wire,, and repot very soon, will update with better pictures afterwards

I like to repot just before, during or just after bud swell. I have not noticed any deleterious effects.

 

[JoeR]

January 2016 -- may 2021. Not too bad I think!

 

[JoeR]

Shot from before the haircut

 

[JoeR]

Six years after collection, taken this spring.

 

[VAFisher]

Six years after collection, taken this spring.

View attachment 441146

Very nice!

 

[Shogun610]

Hell yeah , American Hornbeam bonsai enthusiast unite!!

 

[Hack Yeah!]

@JoeR , your tree is looking spectacular, great job

 

[Shogun610]

I love how hornbeam bark ages with that pigmentation on the trunk