Carpinus turczaninowii var. coreana

An attractive and almost unknown small, shrubby tree (to 15') with slender pendulous branches and bright-green corrugated leaves on dark maroon-brown shoots; looks like it might make an interesting bonsai. S/M

Korean Hornbeam is regarded as the very best of all the Hornbeam species for bonsai use because of its short and often zigzagging branches, as well as its very small leaves. Korean Hornbean will grow with straight trunks if only one leader is allowed to grow, but pruning the trunk back in the winter in its first couple of years will produce multiple leaders which tend to twist around each other. Straight trunk forms are very popular in parks and as street trees, but they look their best when grown in multiple trunk form as a landscape centerpiece (see the picture below). The wood is very strong and holds its shape even against strong winds or frequent snow, so makes a good choice for bonsai-style trees planted in landscapes, especially where other trees might have breakage ruining many years of work.

The best bonsai choice among the hornbeams because of its tiny leaves and shrubby, short stems. Rare in the wholesale nursery trade, this species deserves wider use as a small specimen tree. It develops a strong, drought-resistant root system, remains small, and has excellent ornamental character.