This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Carpinus betulus
  • Hornbeam

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Carpinus genus in the family Betulaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Carpinus betulus has 0 material uses listed
Carpinus betulus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Carpinus betulus.

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a medium to tall hedge, they retain their dead leaves throughout the winter if clipped at least once a year in late summer[1][2][3]. They should not be clipped in spring since they will bleed profusely[4].

A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[5].

Wood - heavy, close grained, hard, very tough, very durable, not very durable according to another report. Used for flooring, cogs, tools, piano mechanisms etc[6][1][7][8][5]. A good fuel[9].

Unknown part

Dye
Fuel
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves are haemostatic[10]. They are used in external compresses to stop bleeding and heal wounds[10]. A distilled water made from the leaves is an effective eye lotion[10]. The leaves are harvested in August and dried for later use[10]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Tiredness', 'Weariness' and 'Mental and physical exhaustion'[11].

Unknown part

Bach
Haemostatic
Ophthalmic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in an outdoors seedbed as soon as it is ripe[12]. Germination is usually good, though it may take 18 months[13]. If collected whilst still 'green' (after the seed is ripe but before it has dried fully on the plant) and sown immediately it should germinate in the following spring[13]. Grow the plants on for two years in the seedbed and then plant them out into their permanent positions in the winter. The average seed viability is around 65%[14]. Pre-treat stored seed with 4 weeks warm and 12 weeks cold stratification and sow in a cold frame[14]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame until they are at least 15cm tall before planting them into their permanent positions.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Carpinus betulus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Thrives in any good loam, including chalk[6][1], it does not demand much light[3]. Prefers a deep open loam[6] and does well on damp clays[3]. Succeeds in all but the most acid soils[3].

Dormant trees are very cold tolerant, the young growth is not usually damaged by late spring frosts[3]. The trees cast a deep shade[14][3]. A very ornamental plant[6]. Trees are shallow-rooted[10]. The hornbeam has 28 species of associated insects[15]. Trees take 10 - 20 years from seed before they produce seed[14] and about 100 years to reach maturity[3].

At one time this tree was commonly pollarded or coppiced for its wood and for fuel[1][7][3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Carpinus betulus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Carpinus betulus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Carpinus betulus
Genus
Carpinus
Family
Betulaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[10][11]
Material uses & Functions
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Botanic
[1][16][4]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    moderate
    Mature Size
    25 x 20 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

    "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0900629649 (1974-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.63.73.8 Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold (1979-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana ISBN 0-00-635555-2 (1979-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.5 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. ISBN 85207 002 0 (1985-00-00)
    12. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()
    15. ? Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
    16. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Illustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Carpinus_betulus&oldid=75957"
    Facts about "Carpinus betulus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBetulaceae +
    Belongs to genusCarpinus +
    Functions asHedge +
    Has binomial nameCarpinus betulus +
    Has common nameHornbeam +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateModerate +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageIllustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +, Fuel + and Wood +
    Has mature height25 +
    Has mature width20 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useBach +, Haemostatic + and Ophthalmic +
    Has primary imageIllustration Carpinus betulus0.jpg +
    Has search namecarpinus betulus + and hornbeam +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCarpinus betulus +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Carpinus betulus +, Carpinus betulus +, Carpinus betulus +, Carpinus betulus +, Carpinus betulus + and Carpinus betulus +