Korean Hornbeam getting a lot of wiring [embedded images]

Previously I worked on a small Korean Hornbeam of Daniel Robinson's at Elandan Gardens ... I mentioned that I was planning to do a much larger tree and which was in need of more wiring.... this is the story of that tree.... through a few images. For those of you familiar with Elandan you will have doubtlessly seen this tree in the collection where it has lived for a great many years. I fell in love with this tree (actually all the hornbeams) from the minute I set foot in the garden. They are such a spectacular species and this tree is certainly no exception. Much of the deadwood had weathered and changed over the years and excavating what way left behind was a wonderful distraction between hours of focusing intently on little tiny branches.

This tree took me about 16+ hours to wire over the course of about 3 days... I gave it a break for a few days during the work week and finished it just before heading to bed on Monday.

This was a tremendous amount of fun as always. I never tire from the transformations, of a twig, a branch then a tree.... makes me fall in love with bonsai all over again. I hope this helps show how important it is to do detailed wiring... this is the only way to get those amazing ancient crowns...

I hope you enjoy ... please feel free to comment ...


With the last bit of fall color:



After removing the leaves:


After many tedious hours of fine wiring:

This tree is Absolutly outstanding!!!
Hornbeam's are pretty awesome!!


Thanks for sharing!!!
Bryan

Really incredible, great work.

THAT is quite a tree. It would be nice to know the history behind it; source, how many years in pot, etc.

Two things: That branch -- should it go, or be shortened, or moved? And, is it due a repot?

That is one of the nicest trees I've seen here. It is one I can actually imagine finding out on the old woods somewhere.

Amazing tree!!!! Great job with all that wiring. I think the branch Jim is pointing to, maybe needs to go left a little bit. Nonetheless, a very powerful image.

Thanks for posting it!!!
Sam

speachless !

it seems you managed to find the tree within the tree in amazing talent

it simply defines the "netural" style...

10x for sharing, and please share the progress
alon

Very nice tree with strong character...

JimLewis wrote:THAT is quite a tree. It would be nice to know the history behind it; source, how many years in pot, etc.

Two things: That branch -- should it go, or be shortened, or moved? And, is it due a repot?

That is one of the nicest trees I've seen here. It is one I can actually imagine finding out on the old woods somewhere.

Thanks!!! I appreciate the comments from everyone!!!

RE: branch..... it prolly should move..... to the left (Sam called it) also some of the branches that face the center could be removed from its top making it less tight in the space ... My wife and I were talking about it before the photoshoot... it also kinda of mimics the movement of the central trunk (it doesn't actually but straight on it kind of looks like it does)

RE: History ... Daniel Robinson (the owner of the tree and my teacher) purchased the stump from Brussel's sometime in the 80's I believe... making it a pre-ban Japanese import... as it was a stump all the branches were trained and the trunk carved to form the tree you see here today.... It probably hasn't been given a hardcore styling like this in a few years. We'll see what it thinks of all the work. It has most likely been growing in the pot ever since it was purchased.... is it due for a repot??? well maybe a little refreshing... but nothing major... the tree is healthy and the soil still drains... the tree has reached maturity and we don't really want to make it get all juvenile by repotting it.

this is what we call a homework tree only way to learn is to do.... only way to learn great things is to learn on great trees [wish it were mine too]

That is a beautiful tree !! all your wireing looks great also....everyone should have such a tree....great job take care john