Bonsai Tonight

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What next? Refining a Korean hornbeam

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Below is a photo of my Korean hornbeam after removing the leaves.

Korean hornbeam

Although I’ve shown the tree a number of times and it’s been in training for more than 10 years, I’d like to continue to make improvements. Before getting started, I’d love to hear what improvements you would suggest. Feel free to comment below.

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Comments

  1. Hi Jonas! Beautiful tree! It seems to me that there are some branches that crosses each other near the apex and in the depht branch area. I may try to send you some pictures! Happy new year!!
    Alessandro

  3. Is there a recent picture of the tree in leaf? It looks like there are undifferentiated branch pads but without the leaves I can’t tell for sure. It has beautiful ramification for a ten year old tree. How developed was it when you got it? That trunk looks older than ten years.

  4. Nice Tree. Korean Hornbeam is my favorite species. Here in the North East we don’t get the growth you do. In 2D it’s hard to tell for sure but it looks like there are too many branches in the mid sections, will you be reducing the branches?
    Jay

  5. I think the thing that has always struck me about this tree is the inconsistent taper from the lower trunk to the upper section. Perhaps letting a key sacrifice branch grow for 5 years might help?

  6. My eye keeps coming back to the three lower branches on the right hand side. I keep wondering what the effect would be if the lower branch was removed and the next two adjusted in movement.

    • I hate to add my limited level of experience to this group but, I had the same thoughts on those branches.

  7. Feels horrible to comment on a beauty like this. Potential improvements based on photo only… Apex might be lowered a bit. The primary branches in the middle section may use some more thickening.

  8. Jonas, To me the branch that is right above the first left hand branch, it looks like a lump on top of the first left branch, needs to come off. It seems to be pointing back and to the left. When looking from the base up everytime my eye gets to that “lump” it stops. I think it actually detracts from the flow.

  9. Beautiful tree! To me it seems that the left side of the tree is symmetrical but the branches on the right side are more asymmetrical. So you might want to make them ‘agree’ with each other. I like how it moves to the right and how the branches are shorter and longer from each other for more interest.

  10. This tree has a very elegant look. To keep and improve that look, I would consider removing some of the branches, especially those that do not have ramification near the trunk. This should allow the remaining branches to improve ramification, while decluttering the interior of the tree. For an altogether look, you could shorten the tree, perhaps where the trunk turns to the right. A new apex would have to be developed, but you would have a more powerful feeling tree.

  11. Lots of cut back to be done. Going back to smaller branches would bring it under control. Lots of unnecessary shoots. A very heslthy tree for this much growth

  12. The apex could shortened at the “right turn”. Could be a terrific airlayer. It looks like there might be a possible branch already headed in an upward direction, albeit in the back. Re-doing the apex significantly will take some time, but the tree looks very strong to get it done. The funky branch just above the first left branch should be removed as mentioned before, removing some of the branches that come out from the trunk as mentioned like the branch between the first two right branches and thinning some of the main branches to allow for more room for refined ramification. Looking at all of the branching, the tree must be very dense. Very powerful, beautiful looking tree.