American Hornbeam stock for Forest planting

[Rid]

I have 7 hornbeams that I purchased as bare root seedlings 2 years ago with plans of making a forest. I put them into colanders and pond baskets to grow out for a little while before combining them into one forest.

The trees are still very thin, pencil width plus or minus. Im wondering if it is better to combine them now into a large bonsai pot, when i can get them reasonably close together, or should i wait another year or two when the trees have a little more girth. I do have a pretty deep and wide pot that would allow some growth if i were to combine them this spring.

thanks
Ridley

 

[leatherback]

It is best to grow out the trees as much as possible before combining them. As individual trees it is easier to develop them

 

[Pitoon]

This thread could help some.....

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/seedlings-from-this-weekend.37674/

 

[Rid]

This thread could help some.....

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/seedlings-from-this-weekend.37674/

Bingo, thank you

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Making sub-groups, by putting a few trees tight together in their pots, and yet develop these for a while as separate units is the way to go.

For example, with 7 seedlings, you could pot 3 tight together, then develop them in one pot for a few more years, another pot you could put 2 tight together, and develop that pot as a single unit for a couple more years. This would then make your 7 tree forest a group of 3, a group of 2 and 2 singles to place in your tray. The tallest can be part of a group, or it can be a single. Up to you.

 

[penumbra]

Leo has it right.