The trunk is the show stopper so I agree!
Cheers buddy, yep just needs time now, but even after one season of growing together and a bit of callus beginning to form, the planting will be more established, the back especially the smallest trunk will blend in better.
actually, if you look closely, bearing in mind this was done in sept, you can see where the paste is starting to split on the main trunk, thats because callus tissue is already forming
I hear often people saying Hornbeam dont heal well, but actually they will readily produce callus tissue,
I didnt use any sealant on the hollow in the main trunk,
look closely and you can see the edges rolling in
I recently posted another one where after 3 years in the ground the chop is nearly healed over.