Hornbeam, European hornbeam, Common Hornbeam, European Hornbeam
Carpinus betulus
Family: Betulaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Vase.
Carpinus betulus is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in November. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 25
Where it is found
Woodlands and hedgerows on sandy or clay loams, preferring heavier soils.
Europe, including Britain, from Sweden to the Pyrenees east to Iran in W. Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The leaves are haemostatic. They are used in external compresses to stop bleeding and heal wounds. A distilled water made from the leaves is an effective eye lotion. The leaves are harvested in August and dried for later use. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Tiredness', 'Weariness' and 'Mental and physical exhaustion'.
Bach: Plants used in the Bach flower remedies.
Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.
Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.
Other
Rating:
Plants can be grown as a medium to tall hedge, they retain their dead leaves throughout the winter if clipped at least once a year in late summer. They should not be clipped in spring since they will bleed profusely. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark. Wood - heavy, close grained, hard, very tough, very durable, not very durable according to another report. Used for flooring, cogs, tools, piano mechanisms etc. A good fuel.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
Espalier: A tree or other plant that is trained to grow flat against a support (such as a trellis or wall).
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Espalier, Pest tolerant, Hedge, Superior hedge, Specimen, Street tree. Thrives in any good loam, including chalk, it does not demand much light. Prefers a deep open loam and does well on damp clays. Succeeds in all but the most acid soils. Dormant trees are very cold tolerant, the young growth is not usually damaged by late spring frosts. The trees cast a deep shade. A very ornamental plant. Trees are shallow-rooted. The hornbeam has 28 species of associated insects. Trees take 10 - 20 years from seed before they produce seed and about 100 years to reach maturity. At one time this tree was commonly pollarded or coppiced for its wood and for fuel. Special Features: Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in an outdoors seedbed as soon as it is ripe. Germination is usually good, though it may take 18 months. If collected whilst still 'green' (after the seed is ripe but before it has dried fully on the plant) and sown immediately it should germinate in the following spring. Grow the plants on for two years in the seedbed and then plant them out into their permanent positions in the winter. The average seed viability is around 65%. Pre-treat stored seed with 4 weeks warm and 12 weeks cold stratification and sow in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame until they are at least 15cm tall before planting them into their permanent positions.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; not Deep Shade; Hedge;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 5-7
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist