Hornbeam
Carpinus betulus
Also known as
Common Hornbeam, European Hornbeam, Ironwood, Horn Beech, Horse Beech, Hurst Beech, White Beech, Yoke Elm, Charmille
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) - geograph.org.uk - 183626 by Penny Mayes (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Full Sun
Moderate care
Light watering
Frost Hardy
H5
RHS hardiness
-15°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
30m | Max | 8m |
15m | Min | 4m |
30 years to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has no fragrance


More images of Hornbeam
Hornbeam Overview
Carpinus betulus is also known by a few common names, including horn beech, horse beech, common hornbeam, European hornbeam and most often just hornbeam. This species is in the birch family, Betulaceae and it is native to the UK. The bark is pale grey in colour, with vertical markings and develops a ridged texture with age. The trunk may twist and branches are hairy and more of a brown-grey colour. Leaf buds are short and curve slightly at the tip. Leaves are oval in shape, with pointed tips and they are toothed along the margins, they also have a furrowed texture, appearing pleated. This deciduous species displays impressive autumn colouration, the leaves turning a bright golden-yellow to orange colour before they fall. Flowers are enclosed within catkin structures, adapted for wind pollination and this plant is termed monoecious and thus produces individual male and female catkins on the same tree. Female catkins develop into papery, winged fruits, these are termed samaras and they are green in colour, turning brown with age as they dry out. The winged fruits have three lobes and they contain a small nut seed, measuring approximately 0.3-0.6cm long.
Common problems with Hornbeam
How to propagate Hornbeam
Seed
Best sown outside as soon as ripe, in autumn, germination can take up to 18 months.
Grafting
May be propagated through grafting in the winter.
Cuttings
Softwood cuttings may be taken in early summer.
Budding
The cultivars by budding in late summer.
Special features of Hornbeam
Autumn colour
Hedge plant
Other uses of Hornbeam
Specimen, banks, hedging, lawn
Native British Trees
Learn about the trees native to the UK and the critical role trees play in securing the future of our planet.
Explore allHedge Plants – Top 20
Not sure which type of hedge to grow, these can all provide additional interest.