Carpinus betulus / European hornbeam

[AlainK]

Do you think it's still time to defoliate?

I repotted it in June 2012 to make it gain more strength (I know, that was a bit late but it was a cool, rainy month of June).

Then, in August 2015, I removed the top which I felt was too thin for the rather fat, gnarly base of the trunk:

December 2015:

The vertical scar on the left is an attempt to make this part of the trunk thicken. Not the best idea I've had ^^...

14th June 2017:

23rd June 2017:

And the question is:

It hasn't been repotted for almost 5 years. Do you think I can defoliate it, trim it, add maybe a couple of wires now?

NB: I will repot it in an oval pot next spring.

PS: After three weeks of very dry hot weather (up to 38°C during the day, and 24 at night, the hottest month of June since 1875), it's rained today, and the temps are down to 27-18, and until next Tuesday, we will have "occasional showers of rain", possible storms (but no hail, cross my fingers), and temps down to 19°C/15°C.

Afternoon temps should be around 25-27°C after next Tuesday, and no rain...

 

[my nellie]

I wouldn't defoliate... I think it's late for that, but I would trim/pinch!
Very beautiful silhouette.

 

[AlainK]

I did it anyway. I think it should be OK.

The front:

The back, with a big scar (*):


Detail of the scar that I refreshed before putting some sealant:


The back after trimming:


The front (I removed some fine twigs at the top after the photo was taken):


(*) It's always the same pb when you take a tree from a hedge: you have to reduce it and it leaves a big scar that takes a lot of time to heal (when it heals). Two photos taken in 2008:

 

[AlainK]

 

[AlainK]

Critique : looks too much like a pine, too 'triangular".
In the last photo, the second and third branches should be wired down a bit.
The nebari looks like a turd, but what can you do...

 

[Shogun610]

Oh the things I’d do to that Hornbeam. I like it .. as a Hornbeam/ Conifer enthusiast.

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Oh the things I’d do to that Hornbeam. I like it .. as a Hornbeam/ Conifer enthusiast.

Probably the resemblance to a belly dancer.