Alasdair

Worry about leaf reduction later. It looks like this tree is a good few years away from being bonsai so big leaves are a good thing. It allows the tree to photosynthesise more, providing more energy for growth.

I'm not overly familiar with hornbeam, but when you eventually get it into a smaller pot root restriction will aid leaf reduction along with staving the tree a little of water and fertiliser in the spring.

Al

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I can feel another "I wish that was my tree" moment coming on...
Currently studying BSc Plant Biology at the Universty of Wales, Aberystwyth