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European Hornbeam

Carpinus betulus

Shade treeDeciduousFrost Hardy

European hornbeam is a slow-growing native tree with smooth grey bark, a dense, conical crown that becomes broadly rounded with age, and golden-yellow autumn colour. It tolerates shade and pruning very well, and clipped plants keep their dry brown leaves well into winter, making it a classic hedging plant.

Overview

Height10–20 m
Crown diameter7–15 m
Root systemHeart-rooted
ShadeDense shade
SunPartial Shade
WaterMedium
HardinessUSDA zones 4–8

Seasons

Flowering (Central Europe)Apr, May

Planting time for bare-root trees. Container trees can be planted whenever the soil is workable.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

None

Bad Companions

None

Only relations with a documented cause are listed.

Toxicity

SeverityNon-toxic

Listed as not toxic (as a rule) by the nursery data sheet; no ASPCA entry for Carpinus betulus was found.

Planting Tips

LocationSun to shade (shade-tolerant, though slightly less so than beech or lime); not tolerant of urban climate or paved ground.
SoilUndemanding; prefers loamy soils and tolerates acid to alkaline, dry to occasionally wet soils and brief flooding.
WateringWater young trees in dry spells; established trees cope with occasional drought and wetness.
FertilizingNo species-specific fertiliser requirement documented in the sources used; composted hornbeam leaves improve the soil.

Care Tip: Responds very well to regular cutting. Forms a dense heart-root system with a high share of fine roots in the topsoil, which competes with underplanting.

Sources