Hornbeam, Pyramidal European Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' Height: 35 feet Spread: 25 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 5a Other Names: Common Hornbeam Description: A tightly pyramidal tree with a strong form; best used in the landscape as an accent, for articulation, or as a tall hedge or alee tree; excellent landscaping choice for special applications Ornamental Features Hornbeam, Pyramidal European is primarily valued in the landscape for its rigidly columnar form. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn yellow in fall. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up. The smooth gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. Landscape Attributes Hornbeam, Pyramidal European is a dense deciduous tree with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting birds and squirrels to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics. Hornbeam, Pyramidal European is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Hornbeam, Pyramidal European will grow to be about 35 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 120 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations! This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. This plant should be periodically fertilized throughout the active growing season with a specially-formulated acidic fertilizer. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. Special Attributes Hornbeam get green catkins and bloom in spring. Male flowers are 1 to 1½ inches long and female flowers are 2 to 3 inches long with three-lobed bracts. Generally it doesn't produce much of the fruit that is 1/3-inch winged nutlets. Hornbeam (Carpinus) varieties are classified as nontoxic.
