OTown
Yamadori
I would think long and hard before I cut any of the larger branches on this tree. That top branch feels real important to the design. The canopy need to be bigger than the way you show it to get the proportions right.
Another BIG American Hornbeam thread.
- Thread starter ForrestW
- Start date
RaginCajun
Mame
Very nice tree! Be sure you seal any cuts 1/4" or bigger IMMEDIATELY on hornbeam. Very thin bark, bigger cuts dry out fast and dieback a lot.
It looks like it's already been cut back to begin work on secondary branching. You scored on that one, that's a killer tree!
It looks like it's already been cut back to begin work on secondary branching. You scored on that one, that's a killer tree!
PerryB
Shohin
Rob, this is gonna be a great tree and you live in hornbeam country! I'm sorry I didn't see this thread earlier.
I really prefer the view that you've been considering as the front, because that large trunk move backwards when viewed from the other side doesn't feel welcoming.
That large top most branch going straight up implies that it's going to become a much larger tree, and you've said that's not your intention. I would cut that off, especially since (if that's the front) it presents as 3 branches in a row coming off the top.
I wondered about tilting it to the left, but this seems unnatural to a hornbeam in nature and would diminish the stateliness of a formidable tree.
I really prefer the view that you've been considering as the front, because that large trunk move backwards when viewed from the other side doesn't feel welcoming.
That large top most branch going straight up implies that it's going to become a much larger tree, and you've said that's not your intention. I would cut that off, especially since (if that's the front) it presents as 3 branches in a row coming off the top.
I wondered about tilting it to the left, but this seems unnatural to a hornbeam in nature and would diminish the stateliness of a formidable tree.
ForrestW
Mame
Thanks- will do
ForrestW
Mame
Thank you for the feedback-- I am leaning towards giving it this season going towards a taller tree and not doing any major cuts and then midsummer or early fall once it has had two growing seasons/ flushes of growth out of the ground, then take a pulse on how I am leaning. As long as the tree is still growing I will try and do seasonal updates and will gladly take suggestions
ForrestW
Mame
Just a spring update. I did very minimal work to it this spring-- wired a few branches, but mostly just used small guy wires to direct the young growth where to go. I am not deciding on a set front, or height yet but am mostly going to give it this year to just grow and get strong. 
Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
Looks good.
One might want to double check the guy wires for slack. When we guy wire around the clock, so to speak, for some reason one side always ends up a bit slack.
Glad there were no cuts made as the taper looks good at this point.
cheers
DSD sends
One might want to double check the guy wires for slack. When we guy wire around the clock, so to speak, for some reason one side always ends up a bit slack.
Glad there were no cuts made as the taper looks good at this point.
cheers
DSD sends
Jcmmaple
Chumono
That’s a sweet looking Hornbeam, I too am in the naturalistic boat. I really like the last photo as the front because it shows all the good scars and hole, would be some fun hollows.
ForrestW
Mame
Just a memorial weekend update. It has grown very strong this spring. I did a decent cutback, leaving a few branches long to thicken. I also wired a few of the key upper branches to put movement into them as they are going to thicken up quickly. Sorry the picture quality is not so good but will get some good shots this fall/winter, once the leaves are gone again.
ForrestW
Mame
End of season 2 (since it was dug). Here is the before any work was done-- most of the leaves had fallen off I just cut the last 15%.
ForrestW
Mame
Here are the 2 possible fronts after about 8 hours of work. I wired almost every branch-- and ended up cutting off the top of the main trunk. I never quite liked how long that section was and the branches around it seem to be filling in that space well. I did a little carving-- mainly getting rid of the saw marks. It will never heal over, but I wanted it to age with a little less evidence of the saw marks. I am pleased with the direction it is going right now. I am planning on leaving it in the box for year 3-- then making pot for it in the following spring. By then I may need to make a more clear decision on which front I will go with. I may still make a round(ish) organic pot that will allow me to show either front and work with the pot.
Shogun610
Masterpiece
Definitely the front with the hollows .. looks much older and shows age and reminds me of old trees I see along streams and farms
Jcmmaple
Chumono
That’s an awesome hornbeam, going to be a sweet tree. I need to find me a friend who field grows, have you made a pot for it yet?
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Hartinez
Masterpiece
She’s a Beauty. Great call on the upper trunk removal and letting the other stuff fill that area in. As the boys above said I do like the hollows on the front they like, but I also like the movement and one large hollow on the other side. Now you’re going to have to go through the grueling process of sourcing a large American handmade glazed pot….
IzzyG
Shohin
I’m a fan of the second as a front. Even though the features (hollows) on the first is a draw, the second front carries a much stronger primary line. It also removes the opposing lower branches and allows the pair to instead provide a strong lower branch while the other adds depth. Adds a stronger assymetry that further ages the tree as well. Just my 2 cents.
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Hartinez
Masterpiece
This is my hang up with this as a front. The symmetry and branches being at the same height and almost same thickness. The other still feels very natural and wild, while presenting more of a sense of order and hierarchy
Wood
Chumono
I’m in the bag for the first front, specifically because of the lower branches. A big thick trunk should have big thick branches which is another way to demonstrate age.
The second front makes the tiny left new branch the key branch, and it’s going to be a very long time before it’s believable, if it ever is
@ForrestW is the trunk leaning forward/backward meaningfully in either position?
The second front makes the tiny left new branch the key branch, and it’s going to be a very long time before it’s believable, if it ever is
@ForrestW is the trunk leaning forward/backward meaningfully in either position?
I am going to buck public opinion and say I would choose the second front... It eliminates the problem with the two lower branches coming out at the same level. The hollows aren't interesting enough (yet) to out weigh the lower branch problems... Much better movement in the lower trunk...
Adamski77
Shohin
I would choose second front as well... optically much better vs. this V shape somebody already mentioned.
... plus there is also a hollow... just smaller
