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. tschonaskii – This spreading tree from China, Korea and Japan grows 40-50′ feet tall and 40′ feet wide. From downy, pendent branch tips it carries ovate, sharp pointed, double toothed, glossy leaves, to 3″ long, dark green above, mid green beneath, and yellow in autumn. Male catkins are green and to 3/4″ long, female catkins are yellow-green, to 2″ long, and followed by pendent, green later yellow-brown racemes of fruit, 2-3″ long, with ovate, toothed bracts.
Zones 6-9
