parhamr

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I’ve been working on this tree since June 2014. I think I’m working on an informal upright globe/flame sort of style. I’m inspired by Andrew Robson’s amazing beech. I have many years to go before this is show ready ;)

As I bought it from Portland Nursery for about $12 in a 4" pot
F918968F-7C1A-400C-BA3F-3531C6162C8D.jpeg

2015 in a deep 3-gallon nursery can with diatomaceous earth gravel:
EEC1D93B-0BAC-48B5-BF75-637A90F91A1A.jpeg9E38A30C-BE66-44C2-898B-D37C0FD1702C.jpeg

2017 right before I put it in a grow box
AC613674-87C7-424D-8747-C0BAA1831FF2.jpeg

2018 during a move
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June 2019 looking bushy. You might be able to see some of my work to keep most of the upper and outer leaves halved to
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October 2019 with symbiotic fungi. This tree has had fall fruits at least 3 times.
A6D4DA0E-0FF5-46F2-997F-F281D787E611.jpeg

Today after some root work to reduce organic contents, remove the coarse and chunky roots, and to
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The nebari is a little funky but I’m kinda liking how wild and natural it has been. I could definitely improve it with some ground layering. That may yet come.
 

Hartinez

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I should have done a BIN on a recent European beech that was on one of the auction sites. Only ended up bidding a low price. This’ll be a great tree long term Reid.
 

parhamr

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This tree is doing well. I pruned its long growths back to the second bud on most branches in late May and early June.
E856FA29-3A27-48E1-87CB-8ECF347AC63B.jpeg

I also decreased the foliage area by cutting nearly all of the leaves in half. This has been critical on this tree to keep interior growths healthy. The tree has been happy enough about it as to put on a new flush of growths.
476A7BC8-1FB4-45B4-AA11-0E4C4A23172C.jpeg
 

parhamr

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IMG_0065.jpeg
It’s looking pretty good in the nude. There’s a lot of development to do, still. I might also switch the front and back, since this side has some scars.

On that straight part of the trunk in the canopy I have removed all branches to let it compartmentalize. I’ll remove that stub once it’s ready.

I need to be sure to let the lower branches run and to keep the vigor of the upper branches in check.
 

parhamr

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The first flush had hardened off this week and the tree was starting to put on a second flush of growth. Time for seasonal work!

Before: (I’m trying to be more mindful of getting photos of trees before I work on them!)
6EEA4B4E-19DF-4CF8-91B1-1AFF104EF6B3.jpeg

After cutting back all upper branches to the first 1–3 nodes, depending on position, strength, and orientation:
A3C1B0D9-C11A-41A7-97B5-F56B240C2A83.jpeg

Same phase, opposite side:
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Work completed — all but the lowest branches were partially defoliated:
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I’ve given this tree a few applications of liquid fertilizers and one with granular organic. It usually puts on a second and sometimes even a third flush of growth each year.
 

Potawatomi13

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Good/great progress. Personal E. Beech also has wierd surface rootage worse than yours.
 

Shogun610

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That’s what I’m talking about , (fist bump) love the beech and hornbeam, I’m a beech /hornbeam fanboy idk what it is.. normally I love conifers but past months I’ve been acquiring beech and hornbeams for development/ training.
 

parhamr

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I think I’m better understanding the seasonal cadence of this species.

today, before work:
17A13EA4-9B94-4D93-897B-A475CC36AB95.jpeg

After:
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I trimmed off at least one bud from every canopy branch tip but left at least three or four buds for next spring. The plan is the outer buds will elongate the most. After the first flush of growth hardens, I’ll remove the coarse tips and do partial defoliation.

These shots show off how strong it is becoming: these pruning responses are significant!
730BAA27-3EF8-4266-BF37-3F52623B229F.jpeg 7064BE6C-2625-482F-A5B1-E5A6D86F1BAC.jpeg
 

parhamr

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On June 18 the first growths had fully hardened off and some of the interior shoots were at risk of being shaded out
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So as part of its regular maintenance I did a leaf-pruning defoliation, minor pruning, and some shoot thinning
IMG_3113.jpeg IMG_3114.jpeg

The timing on that was great — it produced a minor secondary flush, set healthy buds, and took a long dormancy period from the summer heat. Today, before I pruned back some of the sacrificial limbs and removed around 20–30 terminal buds:
IMG_0203.jpeg IMG_0206.jpeg

IMG_0207.jpeg


I think the size of this Anderson Flat is way too small and restricting its potential development. I’m definitely trying to keep some refined growths going, but it needs a touch more leg room for the roots to support vigorous canopy progression. It’s on my list for a 2023 repot.
 
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