How to prune korean hornbeam bonsai

Late winter to early spring for structure; growing season for shoot pruning. Remove crossing or unwanted branches in late winter, cutting cleanly just outside the collar. Through spring and summer, allow new shoots to extend 2–3 pairs of leaves then cut back to the first pair; repeat to build progressively finer branching. Apply cut paste on wounds larger than a pencil diameter.

Structural work annually in winter; shoot shortening every 3–4 weeks in growing season. Korean Hornbeam bonsai (Carpinus laxiflora) is prized for delicate, fine-twigged winter silhouettes. It back-buds well, so regular shoot pruning through the growing season is both practical and rewarding. Structural branch work is done in late winter or early spring before bud break to minimise sap bleed.

Remove crossing or unwanted branches in late winter, cutting cleanly just outside the collar. Through spring and summer, allow new shoots to extend 2–3 pairs of leaves then cut back to the first pair; repeat to build progressively finer branching. Apply cut paste on wounds larger than a pencil diameter.