Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  European Hornbeam, Common Hornbeam

Description:

A stately specimen of a tree with excellent form and few troubles; columnar habit makes it great for smaller landscapes; takes pruning very well and can make a fantastic hedge; choice cultivars are available in some very creative shapes and forms

Ornamental Features

Frans Fontaine Hornbeam is primarily valued in the landscape for its rigidly columnar form. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The glossy pointy leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The smooth gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Frans Fontaine Hornbeam is a dense deciduous tree with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Frans Fontaine Hornbeam is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Vertical Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Frans Fontaine Hornbeam will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live to a ripe old age of 120 years or more; think of this as a heritage tree for future generations!

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.