Help appraising a Hornbeam

[apr]

Hi all

This tree is up for sale near to me and I went to have a look this morning. It was collected in 80s and last repotted in 2024.

It looks to be waking up and otherwise healthy.

I am still very much learning the ropes and am not sure if it is more than I am ready to tackle.

I have put a few marks on the pics where I believe there may be some inverse taper already and developing.





The large carved area below the apex may be bulging a bit and I'm not sure how to tackle it.



some primary branches might need rebuilding?



The trunk while big has limited nebari and subtle movement, but limited taper ?







It's an interesting tree and quite chunky, but I am wondering if some of the flaws are to much to tackle with limited experience.

Any constructive comments and suggestions would be welcome as I want to give the chap a yes/no shortly.

Thanks !

 

[rockm]

It’s got some potential. Hard to tell with the photo since there aren’t any that give some perspective on the entire tree. Step back a few paces

It’s been neglected a bit but some hard pruning and carving could bring it back. Not so sure there isn’t a decent nebari in there. Scrape off the moss and old soil to see it.

The apex needs to be shortened and redirected. Carving will take care of that inverse taper.

 

[coachspinks]

What @rockm said, plus, what is your goal? Do you want a show tree or one that is mostly for yourself? Without seeing the whole tree at one time I couldn't not make a final determination, but there is a lot I like about that tree and if the price were right, one that would be fun to have.

 

[BrightsideB]

What did they ask for it? If you are a beginner at bonsai. I think it could be a good nice size tree. It’s good to know as a novice that it is easier to loose what you spend.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Pass.
This tree is poorly grown and it will be difficult to coax any taper out of that trunk; let alone develop a decent base. Hornbeams also heal wounds with difficulty, so that trunk scar is more likely to rot than heal. Branches are going in all different directions.

 

[apr]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I also think the fact that I'm on the fence about it is a big indicator.

I guess part of the learning process is also not getting fomo and being patient and discerning with what material to take and what to pass on.