Summer Sessions: American Hornbeam 2019

Summer pruning is a key part of building deciduous bonsai. In this video, Ben guides you through his thought process and why this is an important step for bonsai enthusiasts. I hope you enjoy this video!
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Soil Mixture: Sifted to 2-6 mm
3X Turface MVP
3X Pine Bark
2X Diatomaceous Earth
1X Sand
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[@jamesthacker1605]

Seeing that you posted a new one is really a breath of fresh air. Thanks again.

[@saturnynetitan]

That is one forking good looking tree! Glad to see you updating again.

[@jpalmer1967]

I'm in the Pacific Northwest and enjoy seeing bonsai in a different part of the country. Through your videos I've learned a ton, especially on collecting and different species in general. Keep em coming. Thank you!

[@AppalachianBonsai]

You're very welcome! We don't have as many usable coniferous specimens here as there are in your side of the world, but we have some great deciduous. I'd love to come over your side to play more!

[@Intruuder1]

Wow, super progression, love the way you work and explain things, I have learned plenty keep up the good work.

[@annebrunner3649]

Wow. I enjoy seeing the before and after. Thank you.

[@Dan-in-the-Wild]

Nice work my man. You make it look very easy, yet you take time to make smart cuts. Looking forward to more videos!

[@xavierlcq4944]

Hello, My name's Xavier. I live in France. I really look forward to seeing you again !!

[@bachiral-ibrahimi1388]

This bonsai has an attitude. Ty dude !

[@industrialdolphin]

Great video. I love how you delay so you can immediately show the resulting growth, satisfying 🙂

[@arnaudl7834]

Merci pour le partage, beau travail fait avec passion, cool

[@lovebonsai483]

Boss another stunning piece.

[@CurrenCyPhWorld]

woaahhh it was a nice growth, it became more beautiful this month...good job there...cant wait for the next update

[@takarabonsai3545]

¡Como se extrañan los videos de Appalachian Bonsai!

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Lo sé. Tan ocupado estos días. Pero aún filmando.

[@takarabonsai3545]

@@AppalachianBonsai que bueno. Con pendiente de tu próximo video. Gracias

[@hankwest1]

Super appreciate your videos and updates. Quite an artist touch and design mindset goes into these plants. Very cool to see the process and how they regrow and respond. Patience and intention. Thanks for the information and quality videos. Looking forward to learning more in the future.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

You bet, bro!

[@mk2kayman794]

this is "forking" beautiful!

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Perfect

[@manxlucky]

Very nice finished work. Strong healthy plant.

[@PalePharaoh]

Beautiful!

[@dickmcshan9778]

Thanks for another entertaining video, my far away friend. Yes, I really am just watching this presentation on the 7th of FEB 2021! Hope y'all are doing well. Cheers, Dick from Vancouver.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Really stoked you're enjoying them! I hope they give you inspiration and entertainment. Cheers from Virginia!

[@ricklandaubonsai5506]

It's amazing how strong it looks when you take a look at the shallow pot it's in. Top notch technique

[@AppalachianBonsai]

That pot is absolutely filled with roots. It will require repotting in the spring.

[@billwiggy]

Just enjoy listening to your thoughts and your process on these kinds of videos

[@PeriodWoodworker]

Great job and thank you for the inspiration, Steve

[@bodemoses6696]

I guess Im randomly asking but does any of you know a tool to log back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost the password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me.

[@cartermohamed6643]

@Bode Moses Instablaster ;)

[@waynequiggins424]

Good video. Keep em coming

[@murilobass1]

Hello friend, this plant will look beautiful, strong hug.

[@lfranquil]

Very good lessons in your videos, they are greatly liked. A tender greeting .

[@mczeti]

I like the video! Nice guide!

[@leighharron]

It's just so good

[@MrJohnanthonyw]

love your videos here in Georgia -please do more soon

[@samurai_castle]

Excellent video!!　Great Bonsai! Like 552 From　Bonsai country, Japan

[@norielendaya3475]

Hi, I'm from Philippines I like your videos since I saw you demonstrate all your bonsia I really really like it.

[@claudioestrada1671]

Very nice work! Regards from Sweden

[@Grumpy_Trev]

Keep it coming

[@lesliebonsaigardens]

Love to watch you. more content please.

[@pekesrepose7363]

I've just found your channel here. I see that your posting roughly once every month. I really enjoyed the harvesting playlist a lot. that's something original to your channel and actually can be applied for transplanting as well as bonsai so that's really good info your showing. I was wondering if you had the time, could we have more videos out? I'm really trying to take an interest and learn as much as I can . maybe 2 videos a month? I'd really enjoy them and pick up more info of you did. I'm sure many who find and watch your channel would love it too 😃 thanks for sharing.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

I would happily put out more videos if I had the time. I'm currently finishing my thesis this semester, which has me bogged down. However, I've loads of footage just waiting to be edited. Keep your fingers crossed. I'll be producing several during the winter and spring - even I can't wait!!! Thanks for your patience and for the kind words - it's encouraging. Cheers

[@pekesrepose7363]

Appalachian Bonsai 👍🏼 understandable thanks for sharing what you do.

[@basicgardeninghacks9244]

Very nc video sir good information

[@dennismarkmalinit3913]

nice bonsai waiting for more code keep it up dude

[@bonsaisforever]

That is a sweet looking tree

[@treesbonsaiperfect8420]

Wow so beautifoll tree ❤🌳

[@edmundblackaddercoc8522]

I treat hornbeam same as beech in spring,if growing for ramification, grow 4 cut back to 2 leaves, and I never fully de prune either ya get smaller leaves but they are ugly as.. nice vid!

[@garymccarthy4994]

NICE spurt of growth in the month after the pruning.

[@hamletjazz]

Missing your videos and tips, it has been a while! Greetings from Sweden

[@AppalachianBonsai]

only a few minutes to go before the next one goes up.

[@tuncayozdemir6965]

you are professional🌳👍🏻🌴

[@tuffymartinez]

Thank You very much....I have a 7 year old Acacia in a large pot (the type seen on the African Savanna). LOTS of spines with small soft feathery leaves. Hardy grower, drought tolerant tree. I just keep cutting it back in hopes to eventually turn it into a Bonsai using the knowledge from your shows. I guess it is my experimental tree/bush I am slowly learning from (I live close to San Francisco). I picked this one to learn from because it seems to just keep surviving no matter what I do to it. So it is... watch your show... make some cuts and see what happens. Nobody likes this beautiful bush because of the spines. But I do and will slowly work with it...Thank You Ben....tm..

[@lovebonsai483]

I have 6 plants of 2 different species of acacia. The trunk of ur tree must be about an inch. I guess. I concentrate on canopy style only. Its a beautiful tree. In my country its called (kekar) and (palosa)

[@AppalachianBonsai]

You bet!

[@AppalachianBonsai]

I don't have acacias, but I do have hawthorns, which are also very spiny / thorny. I like them!

[@tuffymartinez]

Hi Shafi, I think my Acacia might be a bit different (I looked up "palosa" and it is, I think, a different tree?) This is my tree, it is an evergreen. www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/acacia/acacia-tree-types.htm Shafi you are correct. My trunk is about 1 inch in diameter...Thanks for the comment...tm

[@dk2614]

I have been doing summer pruning on my bonsai for almost 17 summers. This year however I decided for two of my larger collected deciduous trees that I would try what Walter Pall has been promoting as the hedge trimming method. I get it. You simply take the clip and grow from several trimmings a growing season to once in the fall. The principal at work is the growth is nearly exponential in nature has the tree only gains strength and vigor year to year and it's growth rate compounds. You wind up with thicker branches more quickly and you build ramification more quickly over the long run. Once your tree has reached your vision you change strategies.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

I really need to give it shot.

[@mattbrennan647]

Great video, thanks. Off topic. When you repot from nursery stock do you bare root it or incorporate a fair amount of nursery soil with the new bonsai soil? Thanks

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Depends on the species of tree.

[@BostonBonsaiIdiot]

Reminds me of this Boxelder I collected, except INFINITELY better. Amazing progress. How do you plan to, if at all, address the taper between the chop site and the growth above it?

[@AppalachianBonsai]

It will slowly (very slowly) catch up, but mostly it will be hidden behind foliage. I could plant this back into the ground and grow the top like crazy for a year or two and dig it back up (which I might). That would definitely speed the process up.

[@prehistoricliving]

Nice forking work man

[@AppalachianBonsai]

haha!!

[@Blacksmith-Joe]

Could you do a beginners guide about what can and can not be done to trees at differnt times of the year? Thanks, your videos are great!

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Great idea. Let me push through this semester (3 weeks left!!!) and I'll work up something before spring.

[@69kesh]

Hello mate if you want more back budding plant it in to deep flower pot. It really works.

[@emy1111]

nice vid thankyou

[@MerfolkJoe]

Hey. Just wanted to say I really love your channel - it's very inspiring and educational. Hope you'll be back soon!

[@AppalachianBonsai]

New video drops today!

[@valeriooliveira2368]

Ola do Brasil!! Qual o subtrato que você usa, pois percebi que você não usa adubo orgânico nos bonsai, grato

[@mr.fancypants698]

Greetings from Fla.!!! First off, love your videos! Is this tree a yamadori? I love the trunk, it flows very elegantly!😊 I wish we had hornbeams here, I don't believe it would do well, I believe our hot humid weather would kill it, we primarily stick to tropicals. I enjoy working with ficus, they do well with our hot humid climate, and they are forgiving with any cut you make, and heal very rapidly. You can use wire with them, but you have to take the wire off sooner than most species of bonsai, because the growth of the tree is very quick. My ficus trees that I use wire, I usually only leave the wire on them for no longer than 3 mos. It's ok, because if you're trying to get of a more extreme effect, you just re-wire the tree every 3mos., until your desired effect is acquired on your tree. Thanks for the great videos! Keep up the great work! 👍👌🤘🤘🤘😎🤙✌

[@AppalachianBonsai]

It seems we have a similar issue. I can't use Neea buxifolias because they're tropical and won't survive my winter, but you can use them in Florida! If you don't have any, ask around. I know Artisans Bonsai near Tampa has them. I think they're beautiful and would love to work with them.

[@andresmauricioacostadavila8889]

Primera notificacion y primero en comentar. Me enamore de tu Arte y de tus arboles me gustaria ser tu vecino para aprender directamete de ti y acompañarte a sacar esos arboles. Dios te bendiga siempre.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

¡Muchas gracias!

[@andresmauricioacostadavila8889]

@@AppalachianBonsai Gracias ati por compartir tus conocimientos. God bless you.

[@Kjbrunzo]

Any info on the North Carolina Arboretum and Arthur Joura video? Just curious since you mentioned it in your spring update vid.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

HAHA!!! My wife is also hounding me to finish that one. 8 hours of footage from 2 cameras is a lot to edit. I've a big video project I need to complete by next week, but that one's next. (Arthur's gonna kill me)

[@Kjbrunzo]

@@AppalachianBonsai Didn't mean to hound you haha, just checking. Thank you for the replies. Your channel is great and I often turn to your videos while working on my trees. 👍

[@mariadelosmilagrosrodrigue1196]

Gracias por traducción en español un saludo maestro

[@53x15]

Thanks for another informative video. Would it be too late to treat my Hornbeam this way (mid August, Northern VA zone 7)?

[@69kesh]

Hello Daniel be patient. Best time is late spring.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

It is too late for this technique. There is a time after leaf drop and just before winter where you can do some harder pruning, but that's the last time before spring you should do invasive work like this on your hornbeam. (Sorry I couldn't get the info of this video out sooner. I know that would have been more helpful.)

[@53x15]

Appalachian Bonsai Thanks again. It really helps to know when you can and cannot perform this technique.

[@Sm1vid]

what do u use to put you trees in to let them grow the best

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Soil details in the description. More details about halfway through my Tips & Tricks video.

[@DMBVR4]

Don't these American hornbeams prefer shade?

[@JustinJoyinglife]

Do you have any experience with mimosa trees? I had 2 seedlings sprout that I'm making plans with and would love any tips. The current plan is to have them weaving around each other. Thanks for the videos. Looking forward to more

[@AppalachianBonsai]

I don't have any, but I know that some people make bonsai out them.

[@JustinJoyinglife]

@@AppalachianBonsai I don't suppose they happen to have channels I can watch for care tips? Or could you do a video on them? I've looked around and can't seem to find any other than photo compilations. Thanks for responding.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Just try the same techniques. I do this for all of my trees except pine and juniper. Same soil mix. Same basic care. Give it a shot!

[@mikepenn97]

Is it to late for this process now August 23 north Carolina area?

[@AppalachianBonsai]

It is. You can do some pruning after the leaves drop, just before it goes dormant, but not defoliating. Right now, the trees need all of the leaves to process the sun to store into the roots for winter.

[@waqarmaqbool8082]

❤️👍

[@Bonsai_Bentley]

If you want to reduce the unsightliness of cut leaves you can fold the leaf in half and then cut at an angle. That will result in a more naturally shaped leaf.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

True. I prune them completely off after new leaves harden off.

[@kilynet]

You're amazing!!! Please update!!!

[@michaelseamon9538]

Did your American Persimmon you dug up live?

[@AppalachianBonsai]

No. It died after several months. Lack of roots. Poor timing. Large wounds. Lots learned.

[@jtauscher]

Just the tip - Sterling Archer (phrasing!) :D

[@AppalachianBonsai]

;)

[@lewisperks7199]

Where have ya been looking forward to the next videos!

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Schooling. Sucks the time away.

[@DEN-p9m]

🙋👏👏👏👍

[@stateniland]

do you shelter this tree from winter's freeze?

[@AppalachianBonsai]

No, it stays outside year-round. This species is local to my area, so it has evolved to withstand my local climate. During the winter, I keep it on the ground behind some bushes so the sun doesn't hit it, (which warms it up and causes it to prematurely come out of dormancy). And I make sure it doesn't dry out in the event of long periods of no rain, ice, or snow.

[@stateniland]

@@AppalachianBonsai I ask because your pot/roots are soo shallow.. don't the roots freeze in winter?.. I'm in NYC and any potted plant if I were to leave outside would die from freezing... ty Joe

[@AppalachianBonsai]

My roots definitely freeze, even when they're on the ground and heeled in with mulch. Your local trees are also evolved to to withstand the extremes of your climate, including freezing. The issue comes with freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw. That's the stressful part. The temperature of the ground doesn't fluctuate rapidly, so the trees remain dormant. So we need to replicate that by protecting the pots (& therefore roots) from heating and cooling rapidly. Keep them shaded (north side of a building) or in an unheated garage. Some arboretums keep them in refrigerators during the winter, especially delicate specimens.

[@stateniland]

@@AppalachianBonsai wow I didn't realize the plant wouldn't totally die... I will try with one plant this winter.. ty Joe

[@rydaug79]

Can I send you a pic of a hornbeam I collected this past March? I think it looks great for being only a few months out of the ground.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Of course.

[@rydaug79]

@@AppalachianBonsai How?

[@AppalachianBonsai]

@@rydaug79 facebook, instagram, or the email in the About section of this channel

[@BelajarBuatBonsai]

6 month i waiting for new video and update😭

[@AppalachianBonsai]

So busy. Hoping very soon

[@mahmoudbamarni3803]

How can I make bonsai soil at home .thanks

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Buy & mix the ingredients you have available. I point out mine in my Tips & Tricks video. Soil Mixture: Sifted to 2-6 mm 3X Turface MVP 3X Pine Bark 2X Diatomaceous Earth 1X Sand

[@mahmoudbamarni3803]

@@AppalachianBonsai very very thanks

[@thienantruong1884]

Có tiếng việt thật hay ☝️

[@user-mlfcxz1976]

我是墙内，感谢有中文，感谢

[@peterboneg]

I think you're trying to refine this material too soon. I would grow that leader out for a couple of years until it was about 2m tall to thicken the transition and heal the chop. I'd also consider a thread graft lower down to create a back branch as it's currently quite two dimensional. Edit: I hope you don't mind my comment. It's good material currently but could be great if the structure is created first.

[@Innodent-Thailand]

Fully agree. Way too soon

[@TTime685]

I agree too. The proportions are way off. Still has great potential though!

[@justinhicks6424]

I agree, way to soon.

[@recklessalchemy]

I think it’s important to train the tree as it is growing so that it grows in the way you want it to. After it has grown thicker and harder, your training options are fewer.

[@peterboneg]

@@recklessalchemy you would of course wire the branches before they've thickened too much. You would chop them way back anyway. You're in full control as you build the basic structure.

[@jeremypham9528]

I'm Vietnamese, i appropriate your effort to help Vietnamese people understanding your videos. If u want to improve the quality of translations, u can contact with me by email. Sorry everyone if my English is too bad 😊

[@tuncayozdemir6965]

Yeni video neden yapmiyorsun

[@AppalachianBonsai]

Yüksek lisansımı tamamlamak zorundaydım ve şimdi öğretiyorum. Bonsai videolarına göre bu öncelik kazanıyor. Hala çekim yapıyorum, ancak düzenleme işlemi uzun sürüyor. Düzenlenmeyi bekleyen birçok video var. Umarım Mayıs ayında daha fazla şey söylemeye başlayabilirim.

[@christiansanchez1486]

It’s been awhile starting to worry a little.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

No worries. The thesis is fully ramped up right now. I might even make some short videos for my research and post them here for user testing. I'd make them bonsai related so they'd be relevant. Thanks for your patience!

[@ketutmeiadiutama8777]

Please show me that American Hornbeam....

[@AppalachianBonsai]

I did lots of work on it this spring and will show you this fall once I have the other videos coming up finished.

[@lovebonsai483]

Helo boss, I hope everything goes well. You r missing for 5 months.

[@AppalachianBonsai]

True. Hopefully coming back soon as time permits. School has taken me away for a long time, and now teaching is consuming some time while I get the hang of it.

[@lovebonsai483]

@@AppalachianBonsai its good to know that you are fine.

[@trunghuynh1644]

Xin chào bạn

[@nejouaibrahimy3622]

Vous êtes trop loin on ne voit rien dommage

[@muhasebemuhasebe-vt6si]

GROUNDS FOR BEN SALUTE YOU USE WILL BE ONE PLEASE REMOVE THE TREE you from the Ahmet I'M USING WHAT YOU MIX OF TURKEY AND SAND CREEK ELSE BUT YOU HELP IF you DO MIX You THANK YOU

[@AppalachianBonsai]

I use tree bark. Fired clay (like terra cotta pottery pieces), or pumice. Ağaç kabuğu kullanırım. Ateşlenmiş kil (pişmiş toprak çanak çömlek parçaları gibi) veya pomza.

[@muhasebemuhasebe-vt6si]

@@AppalachianBonsaiI use river sand pumice and bark, but I'm not as good as yours. Thanks for help