Hidden Gardens American Hornbeam Progression

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Shohin
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I picked up this American Hornbeam from Hidden Gardens in Willowbrook, IL in winter 2017. A holiday present to myself.

It was worked on by the guy who collected it out east. His name escapes me, but there is reference to group of American Hornbeams (including this specific tree and other deciduous trees) that Walter Pall referenced in his thread, that turned a little contentious, as I recall...


Here is the tree being worked on. Lots of power tools applied:

HG work 1 fall 2017.jpg

HG grinder fall 2017.jpg

And here is the tree parked in my garage for the winter of 2017...

First the chosen front:

Font as received Winter 2017.jpg

And the back:

Back as received winter 2017.jpg
 

August44

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what kind/brand of saw is that please??
 

BobbyLane

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i thought we were gonna see an update of the tree today.
 

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Shohin
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Cant upload pictures now, it seems
 

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In the spring of 2018 I repotted into an Anderson flat. I didn't work the roots hard enough, so it was still potted a bit deep. I basically let it grow unchecked that spring and summer, little bit of wiring on 3 main branches:

Summer 2018.JPG
I elected to style the tree with a primary canopy consisting of two primary branches on the right and a lower secondary canopy on the left.

I didn't get any pictures in 2019, but mostly just did secondary branch selection, cut back of spring flush in June 2019, did some slight detail carving on the areas originally carved with the power tools when it was at Hidden Gardens.
 

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Picture posting seems to be working again
 

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In spring of 2020 I re-potted (2:1:1) and was much more aggressive with the roots. It went back into the Anderson flat. Most letting it grow out some more. I cut back a few shoots from the first flush to 2 leaves, some shoots I left with 5-6 leaves (most the lower branches of each canopy, in the hopes to get them to continue to thicken).

Probably keep it in the Anderson flat for another couple of years. I have a tendency to put trees that still have a long road of development ahead of them into ceramic pots too soon... which certainly doesn't help speed their development. This one I will be more patient with, because it needs a lot of time.

Picture of some of my carving work:

A hornbean branching 2020.JPG

Picture of the front of tree in June 2020:

A hornbeam June 2020.JPG

Noah
 

BobbyLane

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yeh needs time as you say. the carving looks a bit rough, more of a block carve, you need smaller tools like a dremel for more detailing work.
 

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Hey Bobby, thanks.

Yes, the carving is not completely finished and fully refined, but I think the pictures above are somewhat misleading. There is a bit more depth and detail.

here are two additional shots up close:

A Hornbeam Carving 2 2020.JPG

A hornbeam Carving 1 2020.JPG
 

rockm

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You've got a good handle on its design going forward. Just lamenting it had more potential before it was chopped with those fancy tools...
The "initial styling" it got before you bought it eliminated some serious and excellent taper in the trunk (and the probable reason for its collection in the first place). It was chopped far too low. Regaining the natural looking taper in the trunk in this species will take a very long time.
 

BobbyLane

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Hey Bobby, thanks.

Yes, the carving is not completely finished and fully refined, but I think the pictures above are somewhat misleading. There is a bit more depth and detail.

here are two additional shots up close:

View attachment 311100

View attachment 311101

ah yes i see. those are better pictures.
 

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Just documenting. August 10, 2021. Still growing. Recently cut back. We'll see how well it's progressing when the leaves drop this fall. But some suggestions of progress compared to June 2020, pictured above.
 

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Possible this person was referring to the very first picture
 

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Awesome color on this one each year. Only had a few pictures from a terrible angles, backdrops and lighting… but contemplating this Shuho pot… and another couple of pictures today after cutting petioles on spent leaves

the scars are horrible and they’ll be a permanent flaw, but I am proud of having brought the tree along in the last 4 years.

some pruning, editing and wiring this spring. Maybe I’ll put it into this pot. That’s my worst tendency… potting trees that still have years of growing ahead. Anyway… Particularly I am not fond of the vertical branch on the left primary branch. Will likely remove in the spring
 

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Calnicky

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I'm glad I"m not the only one who repots something and then says SHEEET! That's NOT the front! Oh well. It's all part of learning to see the design.

Great hornbeam though!
 
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