Japanese Hornbeam

TimZ8

I put this group together with 9 J hormbeams I bought on ebay. Do you think the trees should be reduced in height? The tallest is 16", in a 16" pot. Largest trunk is about 3/4".

Tim

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rockm

Not shortened necessarily, but thinned considerably. There are too many branches with no thought to visual impact. Pick two or three branches (or more, but remember, more is less) on each tree and work them into structure that supports the design.

TimZ8

I have not cut a branch yet, that will come later. Hornbeams give a lot of help in that area and since I just got them I thought I would wait and see what's going on once they leaf out. I do agree it needs to be cleaned up. Just not sure on the height yet?

Tim

zen

The height looks good to me, you might consider reducing the height just a bit so that when it grows back out it's back to this height.
Once it leafs out and there is some "ground" work done with some mosses and/or understory plants, this will look really great.

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TimZ8

Thanks Zen,

I think I will shorten it a bit. Also, two trunks are not working with the rest and will need to be wired into new positions. Clean up the branches, add some moss work and it may come out OK. Thanks guys.

Tim

Boat

Hi Tim. I have to agree with Zen. The height at the moment is just fine but when it starts growing again it'll get a bit taller. I would also prefer to se a bit more Ramification in the branches. That i think will give the tree a far more mature look.

Clive

Colin Lewis

Tim,
Don't cut off any branches yet, but cut all them all back to a couple of buds, let the new shoots grow to six or seven leaves, then cut hard back again. Feed well. This will strengthen the trunks a lot, and give you plenty of choice next fall when you can make some design decisions. It would be a good idea to shorten the outer trees, so that the top of each outer trunk ends in an outward growing branch.

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