Brett's Hornbeam

[Waltron]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

If you lose the dropping branch you lose half that side, and it loses its centre of gravity, so to speak...

You think so? Steven made exactly the suggestion I was thinking - going off the photo. However, seeing a tree in the bark is always different than seeing a photo.
Otherwise, nice tree Bretts.

[kcpoole]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

If you lose the dropping branch you lose half that side, and it loses its centre of gravity, so to speak...

You think so? Steven made exactly the suggestion I was thinking - going off the photo. However, seeing a tree in the bark is always different than seeing a photo.
Otherwise, nice tree Bretts.

I would not mind losing the hanging left hand branch, but would definitely keep the lowest right hand one!

Ken

[Nate.bonsai]

I agree that losing the hanging branch would rob the tree of its character. Also, I think that the tree looks a bit 'pinhead'/'toilet brush' (these are technical bonsai terms and no offence to those suggesting removal - always good to encourage debate) with the hanging and opposing lower branches removed.

I agree that if you are concerned about the hanging branch not sitting well with the others, you can 'funk up' the others a bit, similar to the more wild styling you see on many great japanese maples.

[jezz_39]

An interesting tree, Brett.
For me, I am distracted by the hanging branch and feel it should be shortened. As an overall composition, it seems to work even though it shouldn't . But I struggle to identify what may have caused one branch to cascade while the rest are horizontal/slightly vertical. It just doesn't quite sit right with me because that branch is out of whack with the rest of the tree....but maybe that's the appeal. Its different, and I can't stop looking at it. Its artistic, which is what e should all strive for...

[Bretts]

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments. You made my Day Jezz I think you are right and it should be a little shorter.
Branches like this do occur in Nature on deciduous trees for many reasons, one example is a young branch that grows too quick and cant hold it's own weight then being forever in the downward position. But lets not let the truth getting in the way of a good story. Think of it as Prose Poetry.

[Webos]

Stevens is an excellent suggestion.. It leaves is tree much easier to read. A much cleaner profile and a great beginning to take this tree to that next level.

[Graeme]

Must say I have to agree with Gavin there, Brett. If you take that branch off you have a very one sided tree. Leave it how it is, but if it were mine I'd have a look at wiring the branchlets into a more horizontal position, so they filled in the positions of branches you would see in a "normally" trained tree. Clear as mud?

By the way, bloody nice tree mate - do you feed it chook pellets?

[matlea]

Could you try a thread graft to gain a branch or two on the left side? Could leave the hanging branch as a back up in case the grafts didn't work.... Just a the thought....

[macca66]

Like it.
As is!

[Bretts]

I thought I had up n out pretty well set Graeme but I will look again. Should be organic fert all the way from here

I could Matlea, but decided not too.

So do I Macca

[matlea]

This was the first tree I thought of when I saw yours....

https://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/20 ... ent-maple/

[Bretts]

Very flattering matlea and at second glance a great example. Penjing even so much more flattering something to aim for

[Josh]

Very flattering matlea and at second glance a great example. Penjing even so much more flattering something to aim for

I think you need a branch in that lefthand side but I think the drooping branch goes agaist the flow made a thread graft

Josh