Hornbeam project

[BobbyLane]

Here's a fun project I just started by clamping a few young trees together. They all have ok roots, so just tried to arrange them best I could to complement each other. I guess its a clumpy/multitrunk type arrangement. With a naturalistic outlook...
attached a couple inspirational trees as reference...
Its been potted up, will post more images later...

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Very fun! I did something similar with cork bark elms a few seasons ago. One of the clumps is getting potted up this spring.

 

[Cmd5235]

Very fun! I did something similar with cork bark elms a few seasons ago. One of the clumps is getting potted up this spring.

Brick Township, no way. I was just there doing some thesis research.

I’m interested to see how this comes together in a few years, and if the small trunks will give a decent appearance similar to the natural, sinewy appearance of mature hornbeam bark. Definitely fun to experiment with.

 

[BobbyLane]

Brick Township, no way. I was just there doing some thesis research.

I’m interested to see how this comes together in a few years, and if the small trunks will give a decent appearance similar to the natural, sinewy appearance of mature hornbeam bark. Definitely fun to experiment with.

yeh thats what im aiming for, not so much major fusion but more a fluted trunk vibe, so any type of swelling in the trunks should gradually get them appearing more natural. youll find a lot of hornbeams grow this way in nature, where seedlings grew very close together.

 

[luvinthemountains]

Ah, @BobbyLane now I can see why you took an interest in mine! You have planned yours to divide a bit higher than I did mine. And more trunks, of course. I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

 

[BobbyLane]

Ah, @BobbyLane now I can see why you took an interest in mine! You have planned yours to divide a bit higher than I did mine. And more trunks, of course. I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Yep, mine will be more informal broom than clump or multitrunk. Im also looking forward to the development of yours.

 

[TomB]

more a fluted trunk vibe, so any type of swelling in the trunks should gradually get them appearing more natural.

I’ve tried to do this a couple of times with hawthorns, for the same reasons. Killed them both. Will be interested to see how yours turns out.

 

[BobbyLane]

Little bit more on this, I was thinking to use a deeper pot, but this should be wide and deep enough to expand the current roots in for time being.
The low clamp is under the soil line and hooked in pretty securely with two anchor wires from base, not much give so was able to do some wiring without any concern.
The guy wired trunk will be reduced, im using the top branch as a sap drawer, as there are no other branches on it, just nodes. im sure everything will pop come spring though.
The thickest trunk visible through the centre line set the tone for the others, I think the height will stay roughly the same or higher.
Happy so far, it has that tree look already.
May use cuttings and or emerging buds to tuck in and around odd gaps, especially from the back.
I thought about another clamp to tighten and bring in the top of the trunks, but i quite like how it flares out there,
oh yeh the virt is how it could look without the two low right branches, another option moving forward.

 

[BobbyLane]

I’ve tried to do this a couple of times with hawthorns, for the same reasons. Killed them both. Will be interested to see how yours turns out.

Try it with hornbeams, theyre pretty forgiving of having the roots out n messing around, i just keep misting.

 

[Adamski77]

Little bit more on this, I was thinking to use a deeper pot, but this should be wide and deep enough to expand the current roots in for time being.
The low clamp is under the soil line and hooked in pretty securely with two anchor wires from base, not much give so was able to do some wiring without any concern.
The guy wired trunk will be reduced, im using the top branch as a sap drawer, as there are no other branches on it, just nodes. im sure everything will pop come spring though.
The thickest trunk visible through the centre line set the tone for the others, I think the height will stay roughly the same or higher.
Happy so far, it has that tree look already.
May use cuttings and or emerging buds to tuck in and around odd gaps, especially from the back.
I thought about another clamp to tighten and bring in the top of the trunks, but i quite like how it flares out there,
oh yeh the virt is how it could look without the two low right branches, another option moving forward.
View attachment 463169

Looking really great... wonderful idea... I've seen something recently in the garden center and you just poked me... thank you

 

[BobbyLane]

Here's a shot from the back, after applying two more clamps to get that section of trunks closer together, it could be a potential front and was actually my first choice when putting these together.
Early days tho.
The main trunk line is more visible


Two credible fronts anyway, the idea will be to get it looking decent from the sides too, so adding lots of depth to the branches.