It’s been 2 years and 2 months since I collected this European hornbeam from a hedge. Now it’s time to put it in it’s first real training pot.

The tree grew very good over the last 2 years so the roots should have done the same.

The tree as it looked last fall.

I had to choose a pot for it to spend the next few years in.

The brown one in the center got the most votes from the jury.

So I took my Carpinus Betulus bonsai in the making to my bonsai club again because I could use a couple of extra hands to repot this big dude, or dudette.

After removing the tree from it’s pot we were greeted by a great amount of fine feeder roots.

The pot was prepared, charcoal was added to improve the soil. Mix 60% akadama – 40% Pumice.

A big stump was removed from the bottom of the root ball. Now the root ball is only 10cm or 4 inches thick instead of 18cm or 7 inches it was with the stump.

Everybody wants to gets his hands on this magnificent specimen 😀

The tree fits the pot.

Securing the tree in the pot. Very important in this stormy season. Or just to get it home in one piece.

The final result.

That’s about all the heavy lifting that will be done to this tree this year. Now it can recover while being kept out of strong wind and other harsh elements of nature for the next few months.