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Fastigiate European
Hornbeam
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Columnar
trees are becoming more popular with
spaces getting smaller and tighter
in our cities. One very popular variety
for a long time, has been the Fastigiate
European Hornbeam, Carpinus betula
‘Fastigiata’. In
youth, this tree is very narrow (as
in the left-hand photo); however,
with age, the crown will widen out
to as much as 20 to 30 ft. wide (right-hand
photo). Based on Michael A. Dirr,
and our experience, there can be variation
within the fastigiate types. In any
case, this has still proven to be
one of the most dependable landscape
trees to use. It is excellent for
screening, hedges, groupings around
large buildings, in malls, or planter
boxes. It tolerates pruning, as well
or better than most plants. It is
possibly most distinctive with age,
when planted on both sides of a planting
strip or corridor. It is as if someone
has meticulously pruned its crown
to achieve a perfect oval-vase shape.
The leaves are small and turn yellow
in the fall. These are born on distinct
fan-ribbed branches along dominant
or co-dominant leaders.
If you are looking
for a Fastigiate Hornbeam that is
reported to stay narrow into old age,
consider the ‘Frans Fontaine’
cultivar, this one shown on the right
at the top of the page. It is said
to reach 30 to 35 ft. in height and
only widens out by 15 to 18 ft. Except
for this more narrow long term form,
I have not been as impressed with
the Franz Fontaine as I had hoped.
As the photo shows, the Franz Fontaine,
although narrow, is less uniform in
outline and texture, certainly not
as formal or well kept in its appearance.
Overall, however,
hornbeams are an excellent group of
trees, with few insect and disease
problems. They tolerate most soils
and most soil conditions. They transplant
well and seldom show any dieback from
stress. I have never seen them cause
sidewalk damage, although they are
planted in the smallest of spaces.
They are what some of us in the industry
like to call one of the “Bullet
Proof Trees”. Comments on your
experiences with these or other trees
are appreciated.
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