rockm

Depends on the species and how long it's been containerized from what I've seen.

I have an imported Korean hornbeam specimen with a six inch or so nebari I bought about 12 years ago. I have had increasing problems with lower branches weakening and dying back in the last few years, after initially having excellent backbudding and branch growth. The ramification I built up over a decade began receding a bit three or four years ago. I have stopped pinching and pruning it for the last two years. The branches have regained vigor now. I've heard that KH starts to weaken over time in pots and needs periods of recovery.

I also have worked with collected Carolina hornbeam. They tend to be hardier and tougher than KH, in my opinion, but they're very reluctant to close big wounds. Usually trunk chops can take five or more years to heal depending on the trunk diameter. They do seem to push new buds from the trunk more easily than KH and tend to root more vigorously.

I would be a little cautious of huge price tags on large collected carolina hornbeam turnks, unless they are exceptional with alot of movement and closing or closed chops. Prices for sizeable KH are high, but the trunks that are or have been brought in, are usually pretty nice and have to have branching grown out.