Carpinus betulus

[Bretts]

I finally got around to doing winter work on this tree that I have had for I think about 3 years. I got it from Ray Nesci and I have carved and progressed as I have learnt. I got thrown in the deep end with carving to begin with as this and another hornbeam where among my first trees(hornbeam) and needed extensive carving work. I was convinced to go down this path by Tom a new member here at Ausbonsai instead of trying to heal the scars and Today after doing some basic wiring in preparation for letting the tree grow vigor for the year I am starting to see what I had envisioned.
I don't think the pictures will do it justice and the light is wrong and the wood colour is not great but here are some pics anyway. Although I have had many panic attacks over the last three years I find that every angle is not just acceptable but is very interesting.
At some time in the future I will reduce the apex and end up with a more domed top.

bugs1.jpg

bugs2.jpg

bugs3.jpg

bugs4.jpg

[sreeve]

Nice one Brett
Rather than create a “new” Apex, would another option be to tilt the whole tree marginally to the left so that the lower section is vertical (I know it is close now)

The bottom right branch would then need to get pulled down a little

This will then tilt the middle section slightly more to the left.

Then bring the existing Apex (from where you have grown it) back to the right slightly – so that it is also vertical.

I think this tree will look really neat when the branches grow out and it is in full leaf.

Regards
Steve

[Bretts]

Along with the plan of letting it grow out this year was also that I might be able to have an acceptable image to display. Last year was lots of cutting back at the top trying to get the lower branches to thicken and it was not a pretty site. Although there is a long way to go I think a year of full growth will be better for it. I am pushing the zone for these trees here so I must be patient.
I will only remove the largest leaves and trim for show.
The apex is the last piece of the puzzle. I think that the top goes on for a bit too long as, when old, as this tree depicts the top should be full and domed. I have always been undecided about which front I prefer the deadwood or the classic front. I am still looking for a new leader lower down that can be adapted to either front. I am trying to avoid a C shape at the top and also bring the leader back to the right on the first shot to keep in balance. I have put the decision off for a year or so at the moment. I get the feeling that leaning one way or the other as well as rotating slightly will happen many times over the time I have this tree.
Maybe you could use paint to pick the new leader you suggest Steve?

[Bretts]

I am thinking something like this.

bugs1.jpg

I am starting to think I should just chop the top and stop thinking about an apex direction.
The lower red mark is where a change in brak age happens and worsens the effect of a long top.

[sreeve]

Your green clouds would work

I will try and figureout how to do a virtual of the alternative I had in mind

(The problem is figuring out how to make a virtual.....)

[Bretts]

I think the top needs be fuller than my green clouds.

[scott]

Hey Brett, great looking tree and I reckon you're on the right track. If it was me I'd be tempted to bring those right hand branches in closer to the trunk and lengthen out the left hand ones, just to balance it it up a bit. I reckon you could shorten it up a bit too if you wanted, there's a branch of to the right that might make a good leader?

Here's a really bad 5 second sketch to show what I mean!

bretts tree.JPG

[Bretts]

I think you are pretty close to where I was heading Scott. Except probably not down so much on the right. There is a secendary branch that sticks up from the main right branch in the picture but I can't find it when I look at the tree. I am thinking leveling this branch of on the secendarys will give the effect I am after. I should show this tree from both sides as many prefer the carved out side for viewing and I like the branches that go everywhere even more from that side as it gives a real old cranky tree feel. You may be right about shortening the right branches. I will let them grow for development this year though.
Although I was going to leave it this year, I got out the saw and took the top off at the line previously indicated by a red line.

[Bretts]

Thought I better get a couple of pictures of this as I missed getting any good ones the last year or so and it was time to rotate. In this stage of development, It looks best at this time of the year before it gets overgrown and I start cutting into it to regulate growth and then there is the possibility of leaf burn. I ended up chopping some of the top off. Although I am not 100% sure about the new leader I chose but it is a start maybe it will give me better options in the future.
I still feel confident that I can keep both of these views as fronts I kinda like both

carp.jpg

carp2.jpg

[Petra]

Nice Brett, i like the 2nd picture.It has somewhat of a gothic feel to it. Excellent job, id be proud to own it.How long have you been deciding its direction

[bodhidharma]

Hey Bretts your benches remind of my benches, sotta cluttered and lots of projects on the go. Great to have stuff to do isnt it. Nice tree by the way.

[Bretts]

Hi Petra a season after I got the tree a couple of years ago I was convinced to carve out the tree instead of waiting for it to heal. I have thought about keeping both fronts ever since. Maybe in time it will find a main front?
Oh I forgot there are some earlier pictures on my website I have been mucking around with here
http://summersbonsai.com/html/hornbeam__1.html

I have spread further into the yard and have the shade house full this year Bodi. A root work year for the ground trees so it will be a busy season looking after them all.

[anttal63]

lookn great too brett!

[Bretts]

Got stuck into this one yesterday. I have finally decided on the classical front instead of the deadwood so full steam ahead now. Twisted the front around a little and layed the tree back a fair bit. I used tooth pics to encourage new roots around the right side of the base and that large root heading to the back. I think It will look better in years to come when they develop and I stand the tree back up just a little. Finally chopped the top back for a new leader which I am very happy with. Looks a little abrupt at the moment but I will get the flow back in time.
I would have loved to trim more of the tree but the more growth I have the quicker it will establish in the pot and it is a large training pot so I need that to happen as quick as possible.
So still looks a little untidy but I think I am moving in the right direction.

1.jpg

Jarrod and I like the front somewhere here!

2.jpg

Root work done it is back in the pot with a new front.

3.jpg

Wired

4.jpg

Took about 6 hours work.

5.jpg

Better picture in the morning. After forcing some movement into the beginning of the first left branch the end half was way to far to the front. It will be more to the back in the future and I have a thread graft if you look close that will be the first left branch in time.
Now just grow dammit

[Jarrod]

I think it's an improvement. Just get some ramification in it now!!!