Is my Hornbeam too Tall

[Bretts]

There is no right or wrong answer here I am just interested in opinions. This is one of my Hornbeams as of last spring. Do you think the trunk to height ratio is OK or would you chop it?
Explanations to your opinion are invited.

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[Ash]

My answer is No I would not chop it. Chopping this tree may not improve its taper nor its shape. It has already recieved some chops. Instead I would now work to grow more branches and twigs. A set ratio of trunk width to height is not my goal in bonsai.

I wonder why people strive for a trunk width that is ridiculously exagerated in respect to the height or foliage mass of a tree? Perhaps it is because they are trying to create a caricatree. This is a new bonsai term for a caricature of a tree (see Ashford dictionary 2010). You know like when you see a cartoon or caricature of a politician in the paper and the cartoonist has exagerated his eyebrows, or her nose, or his fish net stockings?

cheers
Ash

p.s. if you take the pegs in off your clothesline they wont decay in the sun

[nealweb]

haha caricatree I like it.
I agree, Bretts tree has taper from the bottom to the top, maybe just thicken and develop the branches now.

[Chris Sirre]

Tree looks fine just get a smaller pot overtime.

[craigw60]

To my eye the centre section of the trunk has been grown too quickly and too strongly, if during the trunk development stage that part of the tree had been cut and re-grown a couple of times you would have a much better tree today. I wouldn't cut it now though and would work with what you have, but for future trees i would look towards bringing the trunk up more slowly.
Craig

[Bretts]

Thanks for the comments guys! Any more welcome!
Any chance we can get a comment from one the cut votes on where you would cut it.

[kcpoole]

Hi brett I Said to cut it but there is a Caveate with that
I like the overall height ot eh tree re the trunk diameter, but waht I do not like ( along with craig) is the Center section of the trunk. It is too long.

I would love to cut about 1/3rd out of it as then it will have progressive taper all the way up with nice section lengths

Build branching and then you are gold

Ken

[nealweb]

To my eye the centre section of the trunk has been grown too quickly and too strongly, if during the trunk development stage that part of the tree had been cut and re-grown a couple of times you would have a much better tree today. I wouldn't cut it now though and would work with what you have, but for future trees i would look towards bringing the trunk up more slowly.
Craig

Yes Craig is right, perfect answer.

[Bretts]

Thanks for that KC
1/3 down is about here. Yet I don't think that is where you mean

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[Amanda]

At first I was fence sitting, then I was thinking nah it's fine, it'll fill out - but I've come back to have another look (with one eye shut of course )
I do see benefit with the top chopped back and think there's more to offer with the growth concentrated on thickening those lower branches and greater width.. but - I image the foliage pads with the current height would look sensational too - I suppose are you after a great winter tree or not.. so I guess I'm back to sitting on the damn fence LOL

btw ^^ That's where I see the chop in the edited picture.

[MelaQuin]

I'd gradually reduce the height a bit but not drastically and I definitely would not have it any taller.

I am not sure a smaller pot is needed but a straighter sided pot would suit this masculine base better than the soft lines of the more feminine pot it is in. The pot size does look a bit large but once the branches lengthen and thicken and it has foliage it will carry the size...but the style of pot could be improved I feel.

[Pup]

Baring in mind the reasonably short time Bretts has been doing Bonsai. I suspect the section being talked about was grown by the nursery man.
Because it would take more that 7 years to grow that out from the chop you are suggesting.
The Chop at the top has been done in the last couple of years. Brett being a young man might decide to go that way.

So the thing now would be to develop branches to grow the tree. The ratio I get is what is now referred to by some as old fashioned.

But I like it but that does not mean anything does it.

Cheers Pup

[Bretts]

Yes this is true Pup. But my opinion is it either works or it doesn't. We can think of this as Yamadori or nursery stock it does not matter. To me if the composition will not work then the only option is to fix it. Not continue with a composition that will never work.
So the question is if this material was in your hands will this composition work at the present height or will a certain amount need to come off. If so how much and any elaboration on the plan you would choose is encouraged.
We can't turn back time though and be honest if this tree ended up on your bench today what would you do with it?

[kcpoole]

Thanks for that KC
1/3 down is about here. Yet I don't think that is where you mean

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Nope brett.
I meant that I woud like to take 1/3 oout of the middle section only
From where you marked, to the next bend down I think is too long. The rest of the tree is magic

Ken

[Bretts]

I thought thats what you meant KC. So one more question for you just to clarify. If this was your tree would you work with what you have or would you actually chop down where you say and regrow the top.