Korean Hornbeam

Steve Kudela · Mar 26, 2017

Hey folks, this one is an older ( 35 yo) collected landscape tree. After it was put in the landscape maybe 23 years ago, it just sat there sulking, grew maybe 6 inches in two years. One day the in laws were out for lunch and as pa in law backed out to leave, he ran over it turning the trunk from upright to slanting. Well, I just left alone, it wasn't doing anything as it was. Maybe three weeks later, I noticed that it had begun to grow and within a short period after that, it began to grow like gangbusters. Did a little shaping over the years and took it up about 10 years ago. It's in an old Tokoname drum, not the right pot for it, but it will do for now. On that subject, I'd like to hear your thoughts as to a proper pot for it. It measures 26 inches in height, 22 in width, 8 inch root spread, and a 3 inch trunk just above the rootage. Probably going to give it a prune in a few weeks.

Thanks folks

Wilson · Mar 26, 2017

Well Steve, I love the rugged look of this tree, but I am too unrefined to help you in selecting a pot for it!

MichaelS · Mar 26, 2017

Nice tree. The drum pot is totally perfect for this tree as it stands IMO.

JudyB · Mar 26, 2017

I think the drum is fine, but I'd like to see a glazed pot under it. Maybe a very straight sided rectangle. Nice looking HB!

Vin · Mar 26, 2017

I like the pot. Not saying the tree doesn't look good. Just playing around with it a little:

sorce · Mar 26, 2017

Shape works....

Glazed easy ....yes....

But....

I'm going to go drive my jeep into a few trees!

Wicked!

Sorce

Giga · Mar 27, 2017

Great tree you have there - that your beech behind this one?

Steve Kudela · Mar 27, 2017

Wilson said:
Well Steve, I love the rugged look of this tree, but I am too unrefined to help you in selecting a pot for it!

Hey thanks Wilson! Most good KH that I've seen do have a rugged or wild appearance, probably why I love 'em. I've got 4 of them,................if I could talk JudyB outta hers, I'd gladly add a fifth! Concerning refinement, I've spent most of my time just trying to develop these things into something resembling trees without a whole lot of consideration about proper pots. It's now time to ponder the pot aspect..................................the ongoing bonsai education, it never ends! Thanks for commenting!

Steve Kudela · Mar 27, 2017

MichaelS said:
Nice tree. The drum pot is totally perfect for this tree as it stands IMO.

Thanks Michael, I'll leave it in this one for awhile, I do like it with the drum. I've just been pondering the pot thing with this one and a number of others that are getting to the point of proper pots. I've got a lot to learn yet about the finishing touches and other folks thoughts do matter. Thanks so much for commenting!

Steve Kudela · Mar 27, 2017

JudyB said:
I think the drum is fine, but I'd like to see a glazed pot under it. Maybe a very straight sided rectangle. Nice looking HB!

Thanks Miss Judy! What color glaze are you thinking?

Steve Kudela · Mar 27, 2017

Vin said:
I like the pot. Not saying the tree doesn't look good. Just playing around with it a little:

View attachment 138449

Thanks for commenting Vin! As we said one time before, don't hesitate to play around. I could see shortening the high left side branch, maybe not quite that much. Again, part of the reasons for posting trees is to get outside input on them. I don't want to get blinkered in my approach to these things. Even though mine are not world class trees, I still want to make them the best that I can and you might see something that I missed. Thank you Sir!

Steve Kudela · Mar 27, 2017

sorce said:
Shape works....

Glazed easy ....yes....

But....

I'm going to go drive my jeep into a few trees!

Wicked!

Sorce

Thanks for commenting sir! The nonsence rascal rides again!!! I don't need no stinkin' pruners, I got a jeep!

Steve Kudela · Mar 27, 2017

Giga said:
Great tree you have there - that your beech behind this one?

Thanks Giga for commenting! Indeed, that's it. One more season in the tray and it goes into a pot. It's breaking buds as we speak. May do an update soon.

Vin · Mar 27, 2017

It often times seems there are rules for deciduous trees and then there are rules for KH. One of the things I really like about KH is you can ignore many of the "accepted rules" of bonsai and not get chastised for it.

JudyB · Mar 27, 2017

Steve Kudela said:
if I could talk JudyB outta hers, I'd gladly add a fifth!

Which one are you referring to? I only have one that I'd even think about letting leave...

JudyB · Mar 27, 2017

Steve Kudela said:
Thanks Miss Judy! What color glaze are you thinking?

I really like light colors with HB bark nowadays. Although a dark blue with a bit of variation can be good for small ones. I love a dirty light blue or a cream....

Steve Kudela · Mar 27, 2017

Vin said:
It often times seems there are rules for deciduous trees and then there are rules for KH. One of the things I really like about KH is you can ignore many of the "accepted rules" of bonsai and not get chastised for it.

Well I don't know who the KH police are, but, I'd just have to be chastised cause I do love 'em. They don't heal cuts, they grow knobs and bumps ( I think of them as burls) on the trunks, they are just liable to throw off bunches of buds just any old place they want to if they're strong and (egads man) they will grow horizontal branches all on their own, I've got 4, 3 have a horizontal branch habit, the 4th one had a semi-weeping habit, it's now a full weeper, a really strange thing almost ugly.........what's not to like. For me, that's the appealing thing about them. They are certainly nonconformist( I think that it was you and I that talked about cookie cutter trees). That big one of Judy's is a great example. They seem to resist total refinement. I think that it's those strange characteristics that make them a little bit special. Thanks for commenting!!!

Steve Kudela · Mar 27, 2017

JudyB said:
Which one are you referring to? I only have one that I'd even think about letting leave...

Hey Judy, I've commented on it a couple of times. It's not that newest one( although I like that one too). As I recall, it was a big one that was posted with a number of trees from your collection. posted several months ago. I'll look it up and let you know. I was joking around more than anything about it. I just love that tree and thought that it was good example to bring up. It has that rugged or wild quality that for me is what KH is all about. Thanks again Ma'am!

Vin · Mar 27, 2017

Steve Kudela said:
Well I don't know who the KH police are, but, I'd just have to be chastised cause I do love 'em. They don't heal cuts, they grow knobs and bumps ( I think of them as burls) on the trunks, they are just liable to throw off bunches of buds just any old place they want to if they're strong and (egads man) they will grow horizontal branches all on their own, I've got 4, 3 have a horizontal branch habit, the 4th one had a semi-weeping habit, it's now a full weeper, a really strange thing almost ugly.........what's not to like. For me, that's the appealing thing about them. They are certainly nonconformist( I think that it was you and I that talked about cookie cutter trees). That big one of Judy's is a great example. They seem to resist total refinement. I think that it's those strange characteristics that make them a little bit special. Thanks for commenting!!!

I would give up bonsai all together if all my trees were cookie cutter. They just don't appeal to me. I wish I could get my hands on this Oriental HB: http://sale.animabonsai.com/2016/10/31/141-carpinus/

Dav4 · Mar 27, 2017

Steve Kudela said:
Hey Judy, I've commented on it a couple of times. It's not that newest one( although I like that one too). As I recall, it was a big one that was posted with a number of trees from your collection. posted several months ago. I'll look it up and let you know. I was joking around more than anything about it. I just love that tree and thought that it was good example to bring up. It has that rugged or wild quality that for me is what KH is all about. Thanks again Ma'am!

Get in line, man!!

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