Winter Bonsai 2025, Kannapolis, NC (outside of Charlotte) December 6 & 7, 2025

[johng]

I'm really glad you brought it because it's given me a lot of food for thought



I noticed that several larger branches/subtrunks in the elms had been broken off instead of cut off and healed over. There would be a small snag left as though something had fallen and snapped it off, or wind sheared the branch off. That part really worked for me and like a great bit of attention to detail.

At the same time, I could tell that you were rather rigorous about how the fine twigs were handled -- I didn't see many or any stubbed twigs leftover from summer pruning. The control in those twigs made the snapped branches and subtrunks more intentional to me in a good way. The contrast there really helped it



Definitely allowed, though whether it "works" for me might be different than for you. I didn't mind the frog or the owl, but fox felt too much. It's chest was thicker than most of the trees in the composition. The literality of the composition worked against that part, imo



This is a super intriguing thought. I'm super curious to see this in action, but now I'm wondering if anyone has ever done this and I missed it because I wasn't expecting it

Thanks for the thoughtful reply! I appreciate how you focused on the details that many folks overlook

 

[WavyGaby]

This American hornbeam was one of my favorites too. It's a favorite species of mine, and this was a really well developed one. I spent a lot of time with this tree over the weekend
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Thanks for the elaborate summaries and discussion. All of this and the following comments were nice to read as I wasnt able to attend this year due to work and family obligations. The Hornbeam (mulit-trunk-like) and Shimpaku are Ken B's and he is a good friend of mine located within a mile of my house. He has taught me a lot and Ive watched his collection develop over the last five years. I think he began refinement on the HB about 5 or 5.5 years ago with Bjorn. We've all heard it before but the HB looks much better in person. The three dimensional aspect of it is lost in a photo, I suppose. The Shimpaku is represented well in photos though.

 

[johng]

This American hornbeam was one of my favorites too. It's a favorite species of mine, and this was a really well developed one. I spent a lot of time with this tree over the weekend
View attachment 622883


Thanks for the elaborate summaries and discussion. All of this and the following comments were nice to read as I wasnt able to attend this year due to work and family obligations. The Hornbeam (mulit-trunk-like) and Shimpaku are Ken B's and he is a good friend of mine located within a mile of my house. He has taught me a lot and Ive watched his collection develop over the last five years. I think he began refinement on the HB about 5 or 5.5 years ago with Bjorn. We've all heard it before but the HB looks much better in person. The three dimensional aspect of it is lost in a photo, I suppose. The Shimpaku is represented well in photos though.

I think Ken must have lime sulfured the trunk on his hornbeam. Certainly seemed to give it a mature feeling. Tom's Hornbeam group is really nice! I spent a fair amount of time just admiring and taking in the details

 

[WavyGaby]

I think Ken must have lime sulfured the trunk on his hornbeam. Certainly seemed to give it a mature feeling. Tom's Hornbeam group is really nice! I spent a fair amount of time just admiring and taking in the details

Yes, he did use lime sulfur.
Agreed on the HB forest too.

How do yall feel about that low branch on the right of Korean HB? It's so low! I see another small branch above it that might take its place.