Hornbeam (Carpinus spp.) Bonsai – Ideal Growing Conditions, Planting, Pruning

Hornbeam trees produce a very dense, strong wood that was traditionally used for ox yokes, which may be the source of the “beam” in their name.

Hornbeam Bonsai trees are also quite tough and are an ideal choice for beginners. If you struggle to feel connection with nature because you live in a city, caring for a hornbeam Bonsai can help you celebrate the season. This tree will turn orange-gold in the fall and drop its leaves!

Plan for Plenty of Sunshine

Your hornbeam Bonsai tree needs light. In the wild, these trees produce an incredible canopy and can even crowd out other species. If you have a location where you can place your hornbeam Bonsai tree to soak up several hours of sun, do so.

If not, you may want to invest in a grow light. This is particularly crucial in spring; your home may not offer the window space necessary to coax your hornbeam Bonsai tree into full leaf.

Build up this lighting process slowly. Start your fertilization routine and increased light exposure at the same time. Water your hornbeam Bonsai tree and let it dry for a few days while you maintain a regularly scheduled grow light session. Next week, bump up the quantity of fertilizer and the grow light time as the leafing out begins.

These trees are quite vibrant as they leaf out; the color of the new leaves is an electric shade of green. This color can help you shed the winter doldrums and celebrate the coming warmth and light!

It’s Easy to Overwater Your Hornbeam Bonsai Tree

Wet feet are not good for hornbeams or any hardwood tree. Too much watering can cause leaves to brown or simply shrivel and drop away. Do be sure to avoid letting your hornbeam Bonsai tree get water-logged. Like many hardwood trees, the hornbeam is a camel. Once it reaches maturity, your hornbeam Bonsai tree will be happy with a good watering followed by some drying time. They’re extremely water efficient.

During their early years, your hornbeam Bonsai tree will need more frequent watering. Regular humidifying may also be helpful, especially if your home gets quite dry in the wintertime. Store a water pan near the tree and keep it filled so the humidity remains constant.

Fertilizing From the Surface of the Soil

Use a slow release fertilizer to help your hornbeam Bonsai tree thrive during the summer months. Be aware that you can damage the tree with an overabundant fertilizer application. If the fertilizer is applied directly to the trunk, you can burn the tree.

Shield the trunk of your hornbeam Bonsai before you fertilize. Sprinkle a slow release fertilizer over the soil at the roots of your hornbeam Bonsai tree. Water it in over time and re-fertilize frequently while the tree is leafed out.

Protect Your Hornbeam Bonsai During Dormancy

Your hornbeam Bonsai tree is headed for dormancy once the leaves turn. The leaves may or may not drop off. Your tree needs to be kept cool and moisturized during this dormancy period.

It’s best to avoid fertilizing your tree during dormancy, though you may choose to water it occasionally. Keeping it away from intense heat, such as your fireplace or woodstove. Unless you live in very cold country, it may be best to keep your hornbeam Bonsai tree in a garden shed, greenhouse or your garage as long as it gets enough light.

Know the Signs of Pest Infestation

Aphids and spider mites can both be a threat to your hornbeam Bonsai tree. If you live in an area where rosebushes are abundant, aphids may be about and some of these plant vampires may find their way to your hornbeam. Look for shiny bubbles and stickiness where aphids may have chewed through the bark.

Spider mite infestations will show up in leaf discoloration; brown or yellow splotches may be seen, and tiny webs may also be visible. Monitor your tree regularly and do your best to these pests early. Aim for gentle but immediate treatment for pests, especially if your hornbeam Bonsai tree is young.

Tips for Pruning Your Hornbeam Bonsai

Focus on making alterations to and around your hornbeam Bonsai tree in summer. Once the tree is fully leafed out and thriving, you can take step to keep it both structured and healthy. Pinch back new unwanted growth to support the canopy you’re seeking; just take care to never remove all the new growth.

Full summer is also the time to repot your hornbeam for best effect. It will need a newer, bigger pot every 2 to 3 years. If you can see roots coming to the top of the soil, it needs more room.

Potting Soil for the Healthiest Hornbeam Bonsai

You really want a soil that will drain effectively for your hornbeam Bonsai tree. Once the tree is established, the goal should be to water it, allow it to dry out a bit, then water it again. These trees don’t need, or even prefer, wet feet.

That being said, it’s a good idea to keep the roots cool. In the wild, these trees are actually often used as wonderful shade trees. Their trunks and root systems thrive in cool, or at least cooler, environments than the leaf canopy.

Humidity Concerns for Your Hornbeam Bonsai

A dormant tree is not a dead tree. If you live in cold country and have to run your heat for long hours during winter months, it’s best to keep your dormant hornbeam Bonsai tree outside of your living space. It may do best in a greenhouse or even your garage, as long as it has humidity and light to keep it fed through the coldest part of the year.

Having a hornbeam Bonsai tree is a wonderful way to enjoy forest bathing on your own schedule! Watching the leaves turn can also help you find a sense of seasonal change that you may have lost due to our constant exposure to electric light. Nurturing this tree to vigor and health each year can help you celebrate the spring.