​Carpinus betulus - Hornbeam - €9 per plant

The hornbeam gets its name from the strength of its timber - horn meaning hard, and beam the old English word for tree. Hornbeams are richly branched and the crown starts out initially with a conical shape, maturing to become rounder in form with an expansive crown. A great wildlife tree that also well as a hedge and tolerates pruning. Catkins and bracts are hop-like in shape and dangle from the branches sometimes into the winter. As autumn arrives, the tree comes alive again with a colourful display of foliage. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: England; Europe to W. Asia..
  • native habitat: Woodlands and hedgerows 
  • family: Betulaceae

Pest and Predators

  • Alder leaf beetle is occasionally found on hornbeam and can cause damage to leaves​​

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full shade, Semi-shade or Full sun
  • soil pH: Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 - 7
  • Prefers moist soil
  • Can tolerate drought
  • Can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure
  • ​Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus

Known hazards 


  • None known

Overview


  • Deciduous Tree growing to 25 m by 20 m at a slow rate ​
  • It is in flower in April - May
  • Seeds ripen November
  • The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).
  • ​Wind pollinated
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in heavy clay
  • It can grow in full shade, semi-shade or full sun.
  •  It prefers moist  soil.

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous Tree
  • layer: Upper canopy
  • habit: Broadly conical becoming more rounded
  • height (m): 25

Products & Uses

  • Flowers: Male catkins and female catkins that are yellow and attractive in appearance. .
  • Seeds: The nutlets are hard and enclosed by a three-lobed wing.
  • Wood: The wood, which is very hard, was traditionally used for heavy beams and is sometimes coppiced to provide hardwood poles. Also suitable for flooring.
  • Leaves: Young leaves are a beautiful fresh light green. Alternate, double serrated. Beautiful autumn colours. 
  • Medicinal: Historically used in medicine. The bark can be boiled-up and bathed-in to treat sore muscles.

Functions, behaviours

  • Hornbeam is a great wildlife plant and is the food plant for caterpillars of a number of moth species. Small birds and mammals eat the seeds in autumn.
  • The dense foliage makes Hornbeam suitable for screening, hedging and avenue planting.​
  • Hornbeam burns well and makes good firewood and charcoal
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project