Here is an American hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana.
This tree was my seed producing tree for about 15 years and was grown in the ground. I bought it as a 4" starter from Ray Nesci.
When we were going to move to Canberra I dug it up and put it into a bonsai pot. It has some significant scars where trunks were removed but callouses over very vigorously; too vigorously in fact that I will need to recut some of the scars that have swollen.
I have just about finished cutting back and rewiring after a major wiring about 2 years ago.
I will have to do some thread grafts as well, 2 are anticipated close to some scarring that I need to carve as well.
Pics to follow in the morning once I have finished the wiring and positioning but before the thread grafting.
Grant
Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
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Grant Bowie
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Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
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Meagi
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
Very nice grant lots of ramification in that one
Look forward to see what you do with this one .
Look forward to see what you do with this one .
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Grant Bowie
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
After initial wiring but before thread grafting. There are 3 good whips of foliage so I will do 3 new branches; then tidy up the tree as I will inevitably bump a branch or two,
Grant
Grant
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Meagi
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
Hi Grant great job really like the movement in this tree .
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
An excellent job Grant and will be the goods in no time 
It that going to be its home? (the pot) I have looked at it a few times and not sure?
It that going to be its home? (the pot) I have looked at it a few times and not sure?"Advice is rarely welcome, and the one's who need it the most welcome it the least"
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Steven
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
Nice restyle Grant!
So this one is probably the Mother of hundreds if not thousands of Hornbeam!
It looks like it will be a very stately tree in time. I think it should be named 'The Matriarch'.
Regards,
Steven
So this one is probably the Mother of hundreds if not thousands of Hornbeam!
It looks like it will be a very stately tree in time. I think it should be named 'The Matriarch'.
Regards,
Steven
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Grant Bowie
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
Update.
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Steven
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
The Matriarch has filled in very nicely Grant. Lovely graceful branches!
It could just be the photo but it looks to me like the crown could be a bit tall? Is the following viable?
Regards,
Steven
It could just be the photo but it looks to me like the crown could be a bit tall? Is the following viable?
Regards,
Steven
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Grant Bowie
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
[quote="Steven"]The Matriarch has filled in very nicely Grant. Lovely graceful branches!
It could just be the photo but it looks to me like the crown could be a bit tall? Is the following viable?
Regards,
Steven[/quote
Apex is too tall but will not be reduced for a while. I will let it bulk up for a couple of years,(lots of growing points) and then cut back lightly over a few more years.
Hasten slowly.
I am trying to increase the complexity and interest in many areas at once.
Grant
It could just be the photo but it looks to me like the crown could be a bit tall? Is the following viable?
Regards,
Steven[/quote
Apex is too tall but will not be reduced for a while. I will let it bulk up for a couple of years,(lots of growing points) and then cut back lightly over a few more years.
Hasten slowly.
I am trying to increase the complexity and interest in many areas at once.
Grant
Last edited by Grant Bowie on June 29th, 2015, 5:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Sammy D
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
Looking very nice. awesome progress 
awesome progress A stick in a pot is better than no stick at all. Remember even the best bonsai started as a stick.
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Grant Bowie
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
I think I can now start to cut out some unnecessary branches and clutter and start to "sculpt" the outline.
Grant
Grant
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Grant Bowie
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
After a further trim and closer look.
Apex will need to fill out a bit more but it is a shrub; rather than a strong tree, and so doesn't seem to be strongly apically dominant.
Grant
Apex will need to fill out a bit more but it is a shrub; rather than a strong tree, and so doesn't seem to be strongly apically dominant.
Grant
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dansai
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Re: Carpinus caroliniana, American hornbeam
So instead of working against apical dominance to keep vigour in lower branches you have the opposite problem!
Great tree by the way. Looking great. Well done.
Great tree by the way. Looking great. Well done.
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