Carpinus betulus – Hornbeam
are small to medium-sized deciduous trees. The leaves have a very distinctive serrated margin with a fine toothed edge, ranging in length from 3 to 10 cm. The leaves turn golden yellow to brown in autumn and most of the leaves stay on throughout the winter.

The bark is a pale grey. When fruits are pollinated on the hornbeam, they appear in a small nut about 3–6 mm long and eventually fall to the ground. Hornbeam is a very useful screening tree and an excellent hedge. Preferred soil is any moist but well drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Expect your tree to grow at a rate of 30cm – 60cm each year with mature trees reaching a height of 30 meters.

Carpinus betulus fastigiata   –   Upright Hornbeam
Low maintenance specimen tree with a narrow habit when young that matures to have a more rounded/oval crown.  The saw-toothed green leaves turn yellow in autumn time.  Catkins appear in spring and winged nuts develop in autumn.  Can tolerate exposure and is very hardy. Deciduous tree that likes full sun or partial shade and clay soils.  Height:  12m x Spread 4m.