Carpinus betulus – Multistem (Common Hornbeam)
From 795.00 incl. VAT
A well known deciduous British tree that’s long been used in gardens for topiary and hedges. These are our multi-stemmed trees.
Hardiness level Green
Carpinus betulus, is a real aristocrat of a tree. It grows wild in this country, so is absolutely hardy and adaptable, and yet for centuries has been used both in its natural form, and as topiary in the most formal of gardens. It is deciduous, but has a habit, called marcescence, of retaining the brown, dead leaves over winter until they are finally shed in spring as the new growth emerges. This means it will bring year round interest to your garden with drama and structure whatever form you choose. Left to grow unmaintained by creative shaping or cutting back it has the capacity to grow to 30m, but over a long time!
The name Hornbeam is derived from the fact the timber is exceptionally hard and hard wearing. Traditionally, it was used for the replaceable teeth on timber cog wheels used in wind and water mills. Many years ago, our Founder, originally a cabinet maker, used to buy timber from Agates in Horsham. He once asked Wally (the mill foreman) what this little known timber called Hornbeam was like. He gave the immortal but accurate reply : "It's like f***in' 'ard beech mate".
Carpinus betulus multi-stems are a really handsome and creatively shaped plant. Their sculptural form has been ‘coaxed’ out of them rather than having Architecture ‘thrust’ upon them. These are almost a cross-over between the aesthetics of formal topiary and the natural leanings of the plant. While the foliage on the top of the plant is clipped and shaped into a gentle rounded dome, it is the stems that provide the vertical ‘wow factor’. All the bushy, twiggy side growth at the base of the stems is cut away, to deliberately expose the slender trunks. There may be two, three or more, they won't be straight because they are individuals. The result is unique.
N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.
As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate around the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.
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| Situation | Coastal, Exposed (To wind and sun), Mild City Gardens, Sheltered Garden |
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FAQs
How fast does Carpinus betulus grow?
The foliage is taller than the trunk so the overall height of these is some 15ft overall but less than 2ft thick. It rather depends on the size of your stepladder and your head for heights.
How do you take care of Carpinus betulus?
For maximum impressiveness, the ideal is to clip them to the proportion of the ones in the picture attached of a garden in Wiltshire. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease. As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well-watered when first planted.
How tall does Carpinus betulus grow?
They can grow large over 30ft. Pleached carpinus are trained onto a frame to be planted at intervals of approximately 5-6ft to create a pleached hedge.
Do Carpinus betulus prefer sun or shade?
Full Sun (Space and Light), Semi-Shade (Dappled)
Is Carpinus betulus an indoor or outdoor plant?
Outdoor, large tree over 30ft.
