AusBonsai

I bought a European Beech from work today. I will likely work it as a canopy style, taking something like this bonsai as inspiration:





So here's the tree I bought






and where I'm likely to make cuts and discard unwanted branches.





I have made another post on the 'propagation' thread regarding taking cutting from the unwanted branches, so depending if it's the right time to take cuttings, I will make a start on this tree sometime this week.

Cheers
Nathan.

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I definitely wouldn't cut the tree down that low. You already have an alright trunk for making a tree like the example one. I would suggest cutting here: Basically cut back the heavy branches and excess trunk, but remember to always cut back to a bud on beeches. Let the lower branches thicken up and then cut back when they're at a reasonable thickness and begin to build you structure after that. Consider grafting in branches as well, to build a good canopy structure that's nice and full you need a lot of branches coming off the trunk. Like this (Japanese Beech, but that's the desirable structure you want): Here's a good progression for European Beeches. http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATBeec ... ession.htm

Some great advice, evan, thank you. The progression of the European Beech looks fantastic.

Do you think it would be okay to take the unwanted branches as cuttings at this time of year?

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Now is the right time.