On a bit of a budget but looking for something nice

[JudyB]

Actually you would think common sense would tell a buyer to go get the tree when spending lets say over 1000USD.

Actually that is dependent on the person doing the packing and shipping. I've had no problems with properly packaged trees. You just have to know your seller to know if it's a good idea or not.

 

[erb.75]

Meehan's ships trees and I've ordered several before and never had an issue. They also gave me a photo lineup of several trees for me to choose from

 

[FrankP999]

I don't see a lot of action on the auction groups anymore. I see a lot of pots from Sonny Boggs but I haven't seen a tree in a long time.

There are plenty of trees in the auction groups. There are several auction groups, perhaps you are only looking in the one for bonsai pots?

 

[sikadelic]

Hey guys...I'm on my way home from the local nursery. I ended up picking up a nice 3 tree K. Hornbeam group that was in my price range. I'm excited!

I'll post some pics later when I get home and as always, thanks for all the help!

 

[barrosinc]

Cool! I like hornbeams

 

[sikadelic]

Well here she is folks. I went to my local nursery after checking around a bit online. This is a Korean Hornbeam 3 tree group. The main tree is about 22" from the top of the soil line and is about 1 1/4" or so wide. This is my first real purchase and I feel like I got a pretty good deal on it. I also picked up a small Shimpaku.

I know it has a couple of flaws that I am aware of, but I feel like this is a great start for me and leaps and bounds ahead of any other material I have. The first pic is the current front and the third pic is the back. Off the top of my head my thoughts are:

- I like the feminine look of the trees but I still feel they are a bit too tall. I plan on reducing them down at some point a bit after I study it for a while...definitely wait until next Spring so I can see it after leaf drop.
- The nebari is definitely lacking a bit.

I would love your input and will update with a new thread when I begin working on it a bit. I am taking it to a study group next weekend and will likely give it a light trim and a bit of wire. Thanks again for all your help during the search.

 

[JudyB]

Looks nice and healthy! Great choice, hornbeam are fun to work with. I agree that they are a bit tall for themselves, but as long as the taper is good, (hard to tell from the photos) and there is enough differentiation in size between the trunks, I'm not sure that it's that big of a problem. I would be more concerned with getting the base straightened out. You'll need to work on those roots next year when you repot. I would put this in a larger wider pot. I keep my hornbeam in a slightly deeper pot than I normally would for other types, they do seem to like the depth. And remember that these are understory trees, so harsh afternoon sun in the hot parts of summer should be avoided. The appear to have nice harmonious movement, happy new tree Jarrod!

 

[sikadelic]

You'll need to work on those roots next year when you repot. I would put this in a larger wider pot.

I totally agree. I was a bit disappointed with the bases but I tried to look at the group as a total piece. I am hoping that when I repot next year I will have a bit of a nicer flare below the soil line. He hasn't had the tree long so he didn't know. There's a possibility that I will be pleasantly surprised. Either way, I am happy with it and it will be a great piece to help move me along and learn with better material....AND I can't wait to see some fall color!

 

[JudyB]

Yes these have really varied fall colors. You should start a thread on this one, so you can keep track of progress. Time to get some wire on that puppy.

 

[lordy]

Meehan's ships trees and I've ordered several before and never had an issue. They also gave me a photo lineup of several trees for me to choose from

Martha and Hugh Meehan are the salt of the earth. Trust in them.

 

[lordy]

guess I should have read thru the thread before responding, but my reply is no less accurate: The Meehans rock.

 

[sikadelic]

Thanks for the reply Lordy...rest assured that I will definitely be buying more developed trees from now on. I started with nursery stock and have always enjoyed it but I have been tired of waiting to really work on something. I guess you could say my honeymoon phase is over...

I will check with them when I start shopping for my next one.