Page 64 - Demo

Hard Wood, Easy Bonsai
Carpinus orientalis
Also known as Oriental Hornbeam and Ironwood.
Text and Photos by Danilo Scursatone, Italy Translation by Danilo Scursatone and Joe Grande
Carpinus orientalis, or hornbeam, a deciduous tree, can be found in eastern and southern Europe and in some regions of Asia. In Italy, Carpinus orientalis is present in the center and south in clusters, mainly in hilly areas. The soil that hosts the Carpinus orientalis is neutral to neutral-alkaline and in some cases also siliceous. Its morphology, typical of betullaceae (Birch), is evident in its elegant manner with heights reaching up to 5 to 8 meters. The light gray trunk presents very interesting grooves and ribs, its green foliage in the spring becomes bright yellow in autumn. In winter, after the leaves drop and the tree is completely bare, you can admire and appreciate the perfect architecture of this spectacular deciduous species.
From the point of view of the bonsai, this species is a particularly suitable starting material because it pos- sesses all the qualities necessary to miniaturization.
Both cultivars or specimens collected from nature, Carpinus orientalis is well suited to the environmental conditions that occur in the transition from the hill- sides to containers. Plants in bonsai pots experience extreme temperature changes over the course of the seasons that impact heavily on the root of the tree and then on its health and survival over the time. These
extreme conditions mean that many species are not suited to bonsai pots, but not the Carpinus orientalis, which grows without any problem.
It is this excellent adaptability that allows you to successfully apply bonsai techniques appropriate to the shaping the tree.
In shaping a bonsai, it is possible to start with only the trunk. Depriving the tree of its branching, stimu- lates the activation of latent buds present in the trunk, which in turn generate new branches. With proper pruning, the apical trunk can promote the release of latent buds in an area useful for the formation of a new apex.
A careful selection of the primary branching produced, will lay the foundation to build the entire crown of the tree in a few years.
But it is precisely in refining and finishing secondary branching that Carpinus orientalis expresses its best features. With targeted pruning, well-distributed and fine branching will form, and the foliage becomes miniaturized (1 to 3 cm in length) in a completely natural way.
In refining the shape, we must keep in mind that the Carpinus orientalis grows vigorously and to highlight its elegant architecture, even in periods of foliation, it is necessary to prune in order to create gaps such as to enable a view of the trunk and branching in a perfect balance of branches, trunk and leaves.
It is often said that the best aspect of the hornbeam is visible in the winter season, because it is possible to appreciate their fine texture, the ash-gray trunk and the very fine and light branching. Although I agree with this statement, the other seasons, such as spring and autumn, are definitely important in capturing the charm of this particular broadleaf.
In spring, little buds emerge, which in a few days give rise to light green foliage that clearly emphasizes the concept of rebirth, an invitation to catch every detail of those tiny leaves with serrated margins that characterize this species.
62 | BCI | October/November/December 2014