rockm

Hornbeam, in my experience with Korean and Carolina hornbeam, backbuds strongly when hard-pruned. It doesn't backbud well if all you're doing is snipping new growth in the spring.

I wait until new shoots have hardened off in the spring, then nip them back to one or two leaves. I also hard prune into old wood in late winter to tighten up the branches. This tree could use some of that, especially on the first branch--which could be reduced by half. The large angular branch near the apex could be removed completely. Both operations will probably drive new shoots back on the trunk or further back on the branch in the lower branch's case.

Additionally, the roots on this plant look a bit tangled. It may be root bound and in need a cleansing root prune. The soil also looks a bit too dense to me, but can't really tell from the photo.

Lastly, and something to consider down the road, the pot might not be the best visually for this tree. Such a nice trunk is a bit diminished by the pot's overall fussiness--etching, pastel panel, and ornate feet. A plain rough glaze oval in grey or similar would look nice, as would a low unglazed oval.