Hornbeam

Profile

Family

Betulaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

25 m

Spread

20 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

150 years

First yield

after 15 years

Hardiness

zone 5–7

Shade tolerance

full shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay

Soil moisture

semi-dry – near water

pH

4 – 7

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Young leaves can be used fresh in smoothies, herb butter, salt, and salads. Unripe fruits are edible raw. Seeds, along with the winglets, can be pressed for oil. Boil or pickle shelled seeds in May after soaking in salt water to eliminate bitterness.

Other uses: Plants can be cultivated to form a hedge of medium to tall height. If pruned at least once annually in late summer, they will keep their withered leaves during the winter. Avoid shearing them in spring to prevent excessive bleeding. The bark yields a yellow dye, while the dense, hard wood is highly durable and suitable for various applications such as flooring, tools, and fuel.

Growing

Grows well in fertile soil, especially with limestone, and can thrive in low light conditions. Prefers deep, well-draining soil and does well in moist clay, tolerating most soil types except highly acidic ones. Mature trees are resilient to cold, while young growth is typically unaffected by late spring frosts, providing deep shade. An attractive plant with shallow root systems. There are 28 insect species that interact with the hornbeam. It takes 10-20 years for trees to bear seeds from planting and around 100 years to reach full maturity. Historically, this tree was commonly pruned or harvested for its wood and fuel.

Propagation

Seeds should be sown outdoors right after they mature. Germination is usually successful, although it may take up to 18 months. For quicker germination, collect the seeds when they are still 'green' and sow them immediately for sprouting in the following spring. After two years of growth in the seedbed, transplant the plants to their permanent spot in winter. The average germination rate is approximately 65%. Prior to sowing, subject the stored seeds to 4 weeks of warmth followed by 12 weeks of cold treatment, then plant them in a cold greenhouse. Once the seedlings are sufficiently developed, transfer them to individual pots and continue growing them in a cold greenhouse until they reach a height of at least 15 cm before moving them to their final location.

Notable

Special features: +Wind, embankment & privacy protection, ++Head+Climbing tree; were hewn and bent with axes to grow together with blackberries, dog roses etc. to form impenetrable enclosures/landwehrs; Likes to be associated with oaks; Winter standing (retains leaves); <1% of the German forest, ++Firewood: 2200kWh/rm, 4.2kWh/kg;

Origin & habitat

Europe, from Sweden to the Pyrenees in the east to Iran in western Asia.

Thrives in forests, being the dominant species on calcareous and soft limestone soils, and occasionally on well-drained clay soils and sands.

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