Brett's Hornbeam

[Bretts]

Just leafing out, what a great time of the year

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[Bretts]

This one has been out for a while and got it's first trim today. Lets see about reducing the leaf size this year

hornbeam bonsai3.jpg

[alpineart]

Hi Bretts , have you even defoliated these Hornbeams before . I have had a couple of P.M'S regarding this . I can't see an issue defoliating most decidious even tried a few evergreens in my time .

Cheers Alpine .

[Bretts]

There was a post on defoliating horbeam that Scott linked. It showed that it is quite stressful for them at the best of times. I followed Harry Harringtons pruning techniques for the hornbeams last year. Tip, asap, let harden off then cut back to two leaves, but I found I had elongated growth after this. So after a chat with Ray Nesci who has the best hornbeams I have seen in the country I am not waiting for the leaves to harden this year and just cut back as soon as I think it needs it.
The hornbeam takes to ramification well so nothing too drastic here for me. Just a little time. The larger hornbeam has been let grow wild most often so this will be the first year dedicated to ramification and leaf reduction although there is still a little branch selection to be done and a second attempt at a thread graft too.

[alpineart]

Thanks Bretts , i will have to try a few different techniques as i have 80 odd trainers in the ground . Sound like they are a little fickle but definitely a worthy specimen to own .

Cheers Alpine

[Bretts]

I wouldn't say fickle. Maybe I give the wrong impression? They are a very robust tree that lends well to bonsai techniques.
I believe the reason that my shoots elongated after I trimmed back was they where growing too strong. Combination of heavy fert and lots of sun that I guess Harry doesn't have.
It was a big learning curve to grow them in the heat but now I understand what the roots like it is much easier.
What sought are you growing?
Good luck!

[alpineart]

Hi Bretts , mate i have American Hornbeams Carpinus Caroliniana 2-3-4 year olds . All in ground in grow beds . The roots can be completely cut off in winter and they will grow a completely new root mass over a single growing season , i treat these like Trident Maples at root pruning time . The biggest issue is the roots grow vertically down every season some penetrate 400mm plus in a season . The usual stay roots 4-5 that hold and radiate outwards on most tree's go straight down even when set after root pruning , .

I will grow on and cut back or completely remove for about 1-2 more years then throw them in pots and solely work on teaching the roots to play ball . They are extremely hard to simply remove due to the fact the roots are very brittle and they grow such long vertical roots in good mediums . I have planted these on a shale/rock base this year with some quality compost about 100mm thick on top of the severed root mass . They will hopefully grow sideways somewhat in the roots or jack themselves up out of the ground !!! .

Cheers Alpine

[Bretts]

That's interesting Alpine, the coreana seedlings I have been growing have responded well to root training.
Yet the American hornbeam stock I purchased from Ray had average root bases and the turk's had excellent root bases.
You should search out and try Oriental hornbeam. It is promised to be the bonsai species of bonsai species

[kcpoole]

Nice thread and great info Brett.
This is a loveley tree, and hopefully will only improve over the next year or 2 to be something quite special

Alpine do you plant you trees in the ground on a plate or something to spread the roots rather than let them go down?

Ken

[Matthew]

Brett i have a garden tree of that variety only young at 2metres tall. is a lovely tree

[alpineart]

Hi kc , mate i would need 80 odd plates . Thats the reason i have planted them on the shale/rock base . I hope it works or i'll just keep trimming them back .

Hi Bretts , i have heard the oriental is the better bonsai material , unfortunately i don't have any. All mine are seed grown , collected from Bright N.E Victoria

Cheers Guys Alpine

[Bretts]

Wow Mathew, as far as I knew there were none in Australia except the ones propagated for the new arboretum in Canberra. I would start taking some cuttings I passed several seedlings on to Ray Nesci so they should be readily available in the years to come.

Seed can be imported Alpine

[Matthew]

came from yamina rare plants outside monbolk and im 90% sure its that one cause the owner was talking alot about it however i have been fooled b4, either way its a great tree

[Bretts]

Think there is more chance I was wrong as I had simply not heard of any. If I get around to it I might give them a call and see if they do or did have them just for curiosity.
I still don't know why they are included at the Canberra arboretum, all trees they select are meant to have some historic or endangered reason, yet they are collecting alot of very large ones overseas.

[Bretts]

This one has been scarying the hell out of me. So slow to leaf out after repotting. I think it has cold feet. Every day saw a little progress but it was so slow. Leaves look free from any damage or deformity so it should be ok.

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