This is my new Korean Hornbeam. It's got several large scars where branches had been removed in the past.
Knobby/gnarly trunks are pretty common on larger old Hornbeams, but this one is more thin and graceful – the knobs seem out of place for this particular tree. But I'm worried that if I remove it and cut it smooth I will just get an even larger scar.
Anyone have more long term experience with Hornbeams? How would you handle this?
by cbobgo
5 Comments
If you were to try and remove and re-heal it looks like you’d need to make concave cuts to hope for ‘flush’ healing.
It’s a risk and not a guaranteed outcome. Depending on your location you’d want to do it at the right time (growing season, not fall/spring), let it be vigorous for a bit, aftercare on the wound, hope for the best.
Could try it on one of the most egregious scars, but be prepared that it may not go perfectly.
Clean them up. Let them reheal.
I’d definitely take them off with a concave cutter in early spring, they might not heal perfectly smooth but I definitely think there’s a good chance they heal nicer then they currently look
I shave them down with a rasp/ file in spring, they usually heal back flatter. But I am a bit rough on my plants cause I think it gives them character so take that advice with a grain of salt lol
Unpopular opinion, but I like the knobby scars. IMO they add to the character and uniqueness of trees.