Hop-hornbeam

I think Jim Lewis ID'ed this as a Hophornbeam last year when I collected it. Seems to be doing well in its new poly-resin pot. I will be reducing the top. Just wanted to take it slow. I have never worked with these before. Suggestions please.

I have made some suggestions for pruning your Hornbeam. Allow a little stub when cutting back as there are tiny buds at the bases of the branches. I have also left the leader slightly too long as I don't know where it will bud. I think the fat downward root should go and the soil level raised slightly

Thank you Will. You have supported the cuts I had been thinking about making as I was potting this up for the first time since the training pot. This is the first full season it has been out of the ground. I was also thinking it should be a little deeper. I did not reduce any roots, this time around other then a a larger tap- like root that was coming of the bottom

When should I make these cuts ( time of the year?) And should my cuts leave at least one bud? Or is that not a real concern with the Hophornbeams?

This thing is a bit on the ugly side, I know. But, I think that it might fun to work with and might produce a interesting look. Just gotta get it there.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

third picture is your front, cut down to the lower buds- make a nice little broomish tree, hollow trunk, its old, its been through a lot, its hollow, its in a field.

Yes Austin it old and hollow... HAHA. I agree that three is the best front. I will be making my chops when the time is right. I have to do some reading.

I don't think your choice of front is the best option. I think it will make a much better informal upright. If the buds are swelling, it's time to make those cuts.

Thanks Will, Ill make some cuts tomorrow and try to find a more suitable pot to get it a little deeper. I see your angle on the infromal and I like it. I think I'm hoping to get that hollow look tied in somehow. Let see how it goes. I'll take some pics after I make the chops.

If you just repotted -- or even repotted last year -- I don't think I'd redo it now. This pot is fine for a while. If this is a Hophornbeam -- and I don't remember it, and can't ID it from a leafless photo -- you don't treat it quite like a hornbeam. They're only vaguely related: Hophornbeam is genus Ostrya.; hornbeam is Carpinus.

Hophornbeam like much less moisture in the soil. It has always seemed to me that hophornbeam are attacked by many more kinds of bugs -- including borers and beetles. So keep your eyes open.

I too think you need to cut it back. I'd leave a bud below every cut, though; otherwise, "backbudding" is likely to take the form of root sprouts.

I haven't seen a hophornbeam for years. They must not live up here in the Blue Ridge foothills.

When I dug this out I left the branches you see in the picture, nothing was done to it other then the initial trimming. The same season it was put into a training pot, as Jim said, it shots buds off the exposed roots as well as the top.

In my haste this morning, I made the cuts. Perhaps not a good idea being that the tree is newly recovered but, It has a load of roots. And I have just put the NIcotine Patch on my arm so I'm in a destructive mood I guess

The part that I cut off (the one with the "suckers" ) has many roots and I believe will also survive. Although it is but a spec of tree.

Cut paste was applied to the Parent.

Thanks everyone for their time

Joe

My opion Wills front and cuts will make your tree..the root needs to come off because it looks like it does not go into the soil...think it will make a nice tree.... John

And I have just put the NIcotine Patch on my arm

Congratulations! Tell that redheaded girl to give you a whap if you backslide. Good Luck.

JimLewis wrote:

And I have just put the NIcotine Patch on my arm

Congratulations! Tell that redheaded girl to give you a whap if you backslide. Good Luck.

Thanks Jim I need all I can get!

I told Heather that the booklet said I can reward myself at certain milestones. She looked over and said, "We don't have any room for more bonsai."