As promised from my previous post, I've included photos of the top section of the Oak Leaf Hornbeam and what remains of the bottom section.
The bottom will make a nice formal upright/broom design and has developed a nice flaring nebari in only a couple years while growing in a shallow wooden training box. Branches were left to grow freely over the last few years, but were cut back to a stub to develop two, even three additional branches from that location this past summer. Primary branching is now in place for the most part, although, the right side needs to thicken next year. The tree is chuhin height.
The top section is a fine example of the unique twists and turns that can develop naturally at the apex of a tree, which is precisely why many of these top sections make such interesting bonsai material. Most of the branching already has movement and is well refined, so I don't expect to wire the entire tree, but will make every attempt to accentuate the natural appearance.
