Common Hornbeam
Carpinus betulus · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Betulaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Ornamental, Hedge
Variety / Cultivar
Fastigiata (Upright European Hornbeam)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 8, demonstrating strong adaptability to varying temperate climates.
About This Tree
A dense, medium-sized deciduous tree with a smooth, muscular-looking trunk, a rounded to oval crown at maturity, and exceptional tolerance to heavy pruning making it ideal for formal hedges.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves, oblong-ovate, 2-5 inches long, sharply and doubly serrate margins, prominent parallel veins, dark green in summer turning yellow in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth, grey-green to dark grey bark with distinctive fluted, muscular, or rippled ridges that become slightly more fissured with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Western, central, and southern Europe, as well as southwest Asia
Growing Season
Spring leafing, early spring flowering via catkins, autumn yellow-to-brown color, winter dormancy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to full shade; moderate water needs with preference for moist, well-draining soils; exhibits good drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Reaches a height of 30-50 feet with an equal or slightly lesser spread, moderate growth rate, and a lifespan of 100 to over 150 years.
Special Characteristics
Exceptional tolerance to severe pruning and shaping, excellent wind resistance, high pollution tolerance, and dense growth that makes it an effective privacy screen.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites and cover for numerous songbirds and small mammals; catkins offer early spring forage for pollinators, and seeds are consumed by various birds and rodents.