EUROPEAN BEECH (red cultivar)

[MACH5]

Early winter update. This tree continues to grow and develop really well. Repotted last spring in 80% akadama and 20% kiryu and refined the nebari eliminating a few thicker roots that had grown upwards from the soil surface. It was defoliated almost completely last June budding back strongly with lots of new shoots. Although I would not so confidently do this with my Japanese beech, I had no worries doing it to this tree.

Beech today

 

[cmeg1]

Looks great!

 

[misfit11]

Lovely, graceful tree, Sergio. That pot is also just gorgeous! I always love seeing your trees. You are inspiring.

 

[jimib]

Another fantastic tree Sergio. It was about a year ago when I realized the enjoyment and importance of viewing the trees without foliage. Seeing the ones you and others post, and Judy's up close and personal, have caused a shift in the direction of my small collection.

 

[MACH5]

Another fantastic tree Sergio. It was about a year ago when I realized the enjoyment and importance of viewing the trees without foliage. Seeing the ones you and others post, and Judy's up close and personal, have caused a shift in the direction of my small collection.

Thanks Jim! Glad to hear it. Always aim at designing your deciduous trees to be appreciated in winter. The great Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai always preferred to use line to describe forms in his artwork rather than describing them through light and shadow. He viewed light as something transient and impermanent. So in the same manner, think of leaves on a tree in the same way. They are not a permanent element of any deciduous tree. Of course one can argue that technically this is also true for conifers but it is not applicable here.

Deciduous = The naked truth!

 

[JudyB]

She's looking so nice, such a graceful tree... I like the stand pairing and the apex is coming right along! One of the few trees I still miss... and lol you have the only other one I miss, though I don't miss hauling it around!

 

[MACH5]

She's looking so nice, such a graceful tree... I like the stand pairing and the apex is coming right along! One of the few trees I still miss... and lol you have the only other one I miss, though I don't miss hauling it around!

Thanks Juds! It is coming along. Yes I am happy with the apex thus far. Nice and rounded but not static and keeping a decidedly right to left movement.

I am about to work on Piglet soon so probably an update to come in the next couple of weeks or so

 

[HorseloverFat]

I am quite happy to have found this thread...

I am (currently) on the third page, but feel I needed to “jot this down” while the “promptings” from the last images of the tree where... “fresh”.

Sergio, your ability to invoke full movement, and even emotion WITHIN your detail wiring work, specifically pertaining to the “depth” dimension.... is ABSURD!

I have learned SO much (theory) in simply observing THIS tree, and the corresponding work you have done... for a mere SLIGHTLY extended time period.

So well done... it kind of hurts...

...in a good way.

 

[leatherback]

One of the few trees I still miss... and lol you have the only other one I miss

Count yourself lucky where the trees you miss have gone. They are in talented hands AND you get to visit the trees here every once in a while

 

[Cable]

Repotted last spring in 80% akadama and 20% kiryu and refined the nebari eliminating a few thicker roots that had grown upwards from the soil surface.

I'm curious about the switch from kanuma to akadama/kiryu. My Fagus grandifolia is growing in pure pumice right now (post-collection) but I was thinking of repotting this spring. Not sure into what...

 

[Aeast]

Beautiful tree.

 

[MACH5]

I'm curious about the switch from kanuma to akadama/kiryu. My Fagus grandifolia is growing in pure pumice right now (post-collection) but I was thinking of repotting this spring. Not sure into what...

Beech in general tolerate a range of soil PH within reason. It can go from slightly acidic to more alkaline. I didn't see the necessity to put it in kanuma again not to mention I don't have any. In my opinion unless you have ericaceous species such as azaleas which a much less tolerant of alkaline soils, I would say that akadama will do just fine for a wide range of deciduous species.

@JudyB If this tree ever leaves my garden, rest assured it will go right back to yours!

 

[Cable]

Beech in general tolerate a range of soil PH within reason. It can go from slightly acidic to more alkaline. I didn't see the necessity to put it in kanuma again not to mention I don't have any. In my opinion unless you have ericaceous species such as azaleas which a much less tolerant of alkaline soils, I would say that akadama will do just fine for a wide range of deciduous species.

@JudyB If this tree ever leaves my garden, rest assured it will go right back to yours!

Thank you, I appreciate that explanation. I was planning to use an akadama mix but was second guessing myself becuase Judy is, like, a bonsai goddess.

 

[MACH5]

Thank you, I appreciate that explanation. I was planning to use an akadama mix but was second guessing myself becuase Judy is, like, a bonsai goddess.

LOL without the slightest doubt she is!!

By all means I think you can use akadama straight up or mixed. If you happen to have kanuma just laying around then no harm in using it as well. But my point being is that beech does perfectly well in akadama

 

[Djtommy]

My Japanese beech is in straight akadama.
Works great.

 

[Clicio]

Sergio, one thought occurred to me about this one and most of your trees.
Elegance.
Not only beauty, technique and pot matching, topics on which you are very good, but more than that.
Chic. Good taste. Superb discreet design.
Voilà, bravo!
Saludos

 

[MACH5]

My Japanese beech is in straight akadama.
Works great.

Yes same here! My crenata forest is in akadama as well.

I am quite happy to have found this thread...

I am (currently) on the third page, but feel I needed to “jot this down” while the “promptings” from the last images of the tree where... “fresh”.

Sergio, your ability to invoke full movement, and even emotion WITHIN your detail wiring work, specifically pertaining to the “depth” dimension.... is ABSURD!

I have learned SO much (theory) in simply observing THIS tree, and the corresponding work you have done... for a mere SLIGHTLY extended time period.

So well done... it kind of hurts...

...in a good way.

Sergio, one thought occurred to me about this one and most of your trees.
Elegance.
Not only beauty, technique and pot matching, topics on which you are very good, but more than that.
Chic. Good taste. Superb discreet design.
Voilà, bravo!
Saludos

Thanks guys. I appreciate the kind words!

 

[Timber]

BIN!

 

[JudyB]

Thank you, I appreciate that explanation. I was planning to use an akadama mix but was second guessing myself becuase Judy is, like, a bonsai goddess.

LOL without the slightest doubt she is!!

By all means I think you can use akadama straight up or mixed. If you happen to have kanuma just laying around then no harm in using it as well. But my point being is that beech does perfectly well in akadama

For me it was a water situation. We had one summer that was very drought ridden, I didn't have enough rainwater that year, and used the auto watering system quite a bit. I found that my other beech did much better that year leaf health wise and it was in Kanuma. So that's why I switched this one too. I'm sure that Akadama is a fine substrate for beech in general. I did find that both my beeches did great in Kanuma as well.

Bonsai goddess, I kinda like the sound of that. I'll have to tell Bill that he must address me so.

 

[leatherback]

Bonsai goddess

I wonder whether @Bonsai Nut would adjust your fancy label here. I think Bonsai Goddess is better.