Yamadori Hornbeam recovering well... Looking for future styling ideas – keep the thick branches for a naturalistic look?
Hi everyone,
A while ago I posted about this yamadori I collected and potted up original post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/s/udIJYtgtkv
It seems to be doing okay, pushing new growth and recovering.
I know the absolute main goal right now is to let it grow completely wild for the next 1-2 years to build roots, recover energy, and start healing those big chops. I won't be touching it anytime soon.
However, I'm trying to wrap my head around a future design and would love to hear your thoughts. I'm torn on what to do with those three thick main branches.
Should I keep all of them and aim for a wide, naturalistic style maybe a multi-trunk or broom-ish look?
Or would you suggest eventually choosing one as a new leader and drastically reducing/carving the others?
I was also thinking about keeping all three branches for a naturalistic canopy and eventually carving a large 'uro' in the middle where the biggest chop is. Since the central wound is too big to ever heal over, hollowing it out could make it look like an old, weathered tree. What do you think about this approach?
Any styling advice, ideas, or virtuals sketches would be hugely appreciated!
Thanks.