Spring Pictures

I thought I’d share a few spring pictures of my trees. I’m actually down to only 8 trees if you can believe it. I’m taking the quality over quantity approach. I still have some tropicals but they are still in winter storage. 

First up, the Japanese maple arakawa that wakes up with a vengeance every year. It needs a haircut and a direction. 

 

This Japanese maple forest always looks good in spring. It needs some work to be less top heavy still, hoping to get to it soon. 

  

My RMJ also looks happy and healthy and I might work on it this year. 

  

The itoigawa needs another haircut and styling this spring as well. 

  

My silver berry flowered again. Even on its sacrifice first branch. Might look into air layering the top this spring. 

   

 

My Japanese maple Bloodgood looks ok but not as vigorous as my other maples again. 

  

The Korean hornbeam needs a trim and some wire. It’s coming along nicely and there will be another post soon. 

  

This Chickasaw plum ended up flowering this year but I didn’t see it. I plan to give it a directional prime this spring. 

   

 

And that’s it! I don’t plan on adding trees to the collection but focusing on the ones that I have. Stay tuned more posts to come! 

Korean Hornbeam Sacrifice Branches

I thought it would be interesting to post the length of a few of the branches my Korean hornbeam has grown this year. It is also interesting that though there are so many sets of leaves, not much thickening has occurred at all. It makes me wonder how long it took to grow the trunk.

Looking very shaggy.

A few of the branches.

And a reminder of how it looked this spring after deciding to shorten it.

Year in Review : Korean Hornbeam

This tree was purchased last winter, I believe in late December. I have been told it was originally collected from the mountains in Korea. I repotted this spring into a cheap pot, but I actually like the style and color. I have considered possibly cutting down and training as a shohin but I am unsure for now.

Taken this spring after the repot.

With some clothes on.

A late summer update.

A shot for some scale.

A few fall color pics.

And finally, the most recent pictures after some fall work. I’m quite happy with this tree but hope that I can progress it further next year.

With leaves clinging on.

After taking the leaves off. There was a good amount of ramification and extensions this year.

And after pruning and a bit of wiring.

That just about wraps up my end of year reviews, and I hope you enjoyed as much as I did. I think that I have made some progress with most of my trees and thankfully most are healthy. While I am pleased with the progress, I can’t wait to see what next year will bring.