AusBonsai

I thought I should introduce the new addition to the Family.
This has to be the biggest hornbeam I have seen that has an almost perfect root spread. The trunk ain't to bad either. I have started to take some hardwood cuttings of one of the branches and thought I better get some pictures before I got carried away.
It seems to have various possibilities for a front with the great root spread. But I have the options of sacrificing taper for movement so I am a bit undecided at the moment. I think I will remove most of the branch on the right in pic 004 and after a bit of a cleanup just carve alot of the deadwood away for now before I decide which way I should go. As always pics and advice might bring up other possibilities so have at it if you wish. $150 from Ray Nesci

Here is a slightly different angle than one of the pictures above that I think is a possibility. Not much movement but it does send a message of a very strong tree. This tree has very good trunk fluting which is a characteristic of the hornbeam species. I am not sure it is showing up that well in these pics at the moment.

Hi Bretts,

This tree, as you said, has beautiful surface roots. And I think the movement of trunk
line is good also.

On the second photo, I am bit uncertain about the big branch on the right hand side.

I am interested to hear what you would do about it?

Best regards.

That is the branch that if you look close at the top I have started cutting back taking hardwood cuttings as I go. I am thinking I will probably reduce to the point indicated and after cleaning up the deadwood I will probably leave it at that for this growing season. Although I may decide to take it back further when carving, but I don't think leaving this will slow the progress of the tree any. This was my first chioce for a front but as you may tell from this response I am still undecided about alot of things.

What a nice tree breets...have you collected it

Thanks Mate,
I bought it from Ray Nesci Bonsai Nursery for $150
Brett

If I was to carve more drastic it would be something like this. But looking at it again this afternoon I may not have to be so drastic.

Hi Brett,

Have you thought about removing the larger of the two trunks?

i know scarring would be an issue that you would have to work through but i think maybe both the trunk and taper would make up for the few extra years it would take.

just a possibility though, please let us know what you decide to do.

Yep after looking at pic No# 5 I did have a little panic attack that this could be the way to go(panic because I thought of the healing time ) but it did not last long. The opposite side has more appealing roots and there is little gain on taper, if any. If you are thinking this leader from one of the other sides I don't see it. I think the line is wrong and it would take a very long time to heal and develop.
I am getting very keen on the angle in the last picture and think this is the essence of this tree. It shows so much strength, although there is only slight taper I think the muscling all over, the great root spread with the taper and aged movement at the very top is going to give me a very impressive image in time.

Found some time to do the initial styling on this today. I am pretty firm and happy with the direction now but have at if you like. There are some stumps that will and maybe coming down in time. There are still the two main side branches that don't show at this point. I will make myself do a virt of some description. I would have liked better movement in the branches but that will have to do for now. I am happy to encourage good growth at this point.
I think this tree best tells the story of great strength This is the other option I had for viewing. I need to make the scars appealing as they will be with the tree for a long time. I think the tree will be acceptable from all sides in time. I am getting better with my deciduous carving I will have to show another picture when it ages a little and not wet

Here is a quick virt of what I have planned. Edit some improvement

Cannot wait to see it when it is complete. That trunk is awesome!!!

Thanks Jester I hope I will have a more adavanced image to show in a few years.

Just reading something from Peter about a thin cotoneaster that used the branches this way to excentuate the movement. Longer left branch above the curve with the right branch brought in. Apex to match movement. Small things but big improvements

After a couple of armature at temps at getting a thread graft for a left branch on this tree last year, it is over due for one of the wild branches to be pulled into line for an aproach graft this season.
Maybe if Danica gives me a hand bring it to the table I could get it done tonight Edit that first left branch in the above post is actually a secondary branch from the back branch. Maybe that would work but I think I will go for a front left branch anyway