Description
Carpinus – Hornbeam –
There are about 40 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, in this genus. They occur in woodland in cool climates areas of the Northern Hemisphere. They have alternate, prominently veined, smooth or toothed edged leaves and, in spring bear unisexual flowers in catkins, both male and female catkins are borne on the same plant. Hornbeams are grown for their elegant habit, ornamental foliage, autumn color, and pendent leafy bracted racemes of fruit. They are attractive specimen trees for a park or woodland, and are excellent for hedging.
Grow in moderately fertile, well drained soil in sun or partial shade.
Prone to powdery mildew, cankers, dieback, and wood-rotting fungi.
C. orientalis – Oriental Hornbeam – Turkish Hornbeam – This densely branched native of Southeastern Europe and Turkey is sometimes grown as a low shrubby bush. Generally it develops into a small tree or large shrub up to 50′ feet tall. The glossy dark green leaves have double toothed edges, and good autumn color. The fruit, are held in pendulous clusters 2 ½” long, are accompanied by irregularly shaped oval bracts.
Zones 5-9
