Page 64 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2014Q4

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

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
arpinus orientalis, or hornbeam, a produced, will lay the foundation to build the entire
deciduous tree, can be found in eastern crown of the tree in a few years.
and southern Europe and in some regions But it is precisely in refining and finishing secondary
of Asia. In Italy, Carpinus orientalis branching that Carpinus orientalis expresses its best
Cis present in the center and south in features. With targeted pruning, well-distributed and
clusters, mainly in hilly areas. The soil that hosts the fine branching will form, and the foliage becomes
Carpinus orientalis is neutral to neutral-alkaline and miniaturized (1 to 3 cm in length) in a completely
in some cases also siliceous. Its morphology, typical natural way.
of betullaceae (Birch), is evident in its elegant manner In refining the shape, we must keep in mind that the
with heights reaching up to 5 to 8 meters. The light Carpinus orientalis grows vigorously and to highlight
gray trunk presents very interesting grooves and ribs, its elegant architecture, even in periods of foliation, it
its green foliage in the spring becomes bright yellow is necessary to prune in order to create gaps such as to
in autumn. In winter, after the leaves drop and the enable a view of the trunk and branching in a perfect
tree is completely bare, you can admire and appreciate balance of branches, trunk and leaves.
the perfect architecture of this spectacular deciduous It is often said that the best aspect of the hornbeam
species. is visible in the winter season, because it is possible to
From the point of view of the bonsai, this species is appreciate their fine texture, the ash-gray trunk and
a particularly suitable starting material because it pos- the very fine and light branching. Although I agree
sesses all the qualities necessary to miniaturization. with this statement, the other seasons, such as spring
Both cultivars or specimens collected from nature, and autumn, are definitely important in capturing the
Carpinus orientalis is well suited to the environmental charm of this particular broadleaf.
conditions that occur in the transition from the hill- In spring, little buds emerge, which in a few days
sides to containers. Plants in bonsai pots experience give rise to light green foliage that clearly emphasizes
extreme temperature changes over the course of the the concept of rebirth, an invitation to catch every
seasons that impact heavily on the root of the tree and detail of those tiny leaves with serrated margins that
then on its health and survival over the time. These characterize this species.

62 | BCI | October/November/December 2014