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A deciduous, upright trees, hornbeams are noteably tough and vigorous. With
medium green, oval toothed foliage, these trees are handsome in summer and autumn
foliage.
Hardiness: Zones 5-6, depending on species, with protection from hot summer sun
and winter frost.
Light: Full sun to partial shade (especially in midsummer). Many variety of horbeams
naturally grow in forest under-stories, and prefer dappled light. Protect from harsh
mid-day sun in the summer.
Soil: Standard soil mix, good drainage but still a good amount of organic matter.
Watering: Keep soil from drying out, as hornbeams are not drought tolerant.
Fertilizer: Well balanced diluted fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. Can be feed every week
for the month just following budbreak. Avoid fertilizing for two months after repotting. Switch to a nitrogen-free
formula in late summer and fall, tapering off for winter.
Pests and Diseases: Usually healthy; sometimes suffer from leaf spot, powdery mildew, canker, spider mites, scale
and leaf miners. Occasional Coral Spot.
Repotting: Every one to two years for young trees, before buds open in the spring. Every two to three years for
older trees that grow less vigorously. When root pruning, cut off the taproots below the tree base, and up to half
of the root mass. Hornbeams have a tendency to have a small number of straight, vigorous roots that emerge at
angles from the trunkbase, which should be pruned hard back to encourage more numerous branching roots.
Pruning and Styling: With vigorous growth, these trees can tolerate some very heavy pruning. In the spring cut
back new growth after it has hardened off from five or six leaves to the first one or two on the stem. It will
encourage a second flush of smaller growth for the rest of the season. Remove larger leaves if necessary as smaller
ones emerge. At midsummer you can defoliate a healthy tree, removing all leaves but leaving one leaf at the tip of
each branch.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings in mid summer. Sow seeds outside in autumn.
Styles and Forms: Suitable for most styles. Formal and informal upright, curved trunk, root-over-rock, exposed
root, windswept.
Species and Cultivars: C. betulus 'European hornbeam' steel grey bark, bright green leaves and bright yellow
autumn colour. Hardiest variety suited to bonsai, though can be sensitive to early frosts.
C. caroliniana 'American Hornbeam' Spreading, shrubby habit. Needs additional winter protection. Will lose lower
levels of branches when weakened.
C. turczaninowii 'Korean Hornbeam' Native to Japan, China and Korea. Delicate leaves and branching pattern and
red-orange fall colour. Less hardy, needing extra frost protection and will lose lower branches when weakened.
Other Information:
medium green, oval toothed foliage, these trees are handsome in summer and autumn
foliage.
Hardiness: Zones 5-6, depending on species, with protection from hot summer sun
and winter frost.
Light: Full sun to partial shade (especially in midsummer). Many variety of horbeams
naturally grow in forest under-stories, and prefer dappled light. Protect from harsh
mid-day sun in the summer.
Soil: Standard soil mix, good drainage but still a good amount of organic matter.
Watering: Keep soil from drying out, as hornbeams are not drought tolerant.
Fertilizer: Well balanced diluted fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. Can be feed every week
for the month just following budbreak. Avoid fertilizing for two months after repotting. Switch to a nitrogen-free
formula in late summer and fall, tapering off for winter.
Pests and Diseases: Usually healthy; sometimes suffer from leaf spot, powdery mildew, canker, spider mites, scale
and leaf miners. Occasional Coral Spot.
Repotting: Every one to two years for young trees, before buds open in the spring. Every two to three years for
older trees that grow less vigorously. When root pruning, cut off the taproots below the tree base, and up to half
of the root mass. Hornbeams have a tendency to have a small number of straight, vigorous roots that emerge at
angles from the trunkbase, which should be pruned hard back to encourage more numerous branching roots.
Pruning and Styling: With vigorous growth, these trees can tolerate some very heavy pruning. In the spring cut
back new growth after it has hardened off from five or six leaves to the first one or two on the stem. It will
encourage a second flush of smaller growth for the rest of the season. Remove larger leaves if necessary as smaller
ones emerge. At midsummer you can defoliate a healthy tree, removing all leaves but leaving one leaf at the tip of
each branch.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings in mid summer. Sow seeds outside in autumn.
Styles and Forms: Suitable for most styles. Formal and informal upright, curved trunk, root-over-rock, exposed
root, windswept.
Species and Cultivars: C. betulus 'European hornbeam' steel grey bark, bright green leaves and bright yellow
autumn colour. Hardiest variety suited to bonsai, though can be sensitive to early frosts.
C. caroliniana 'American Hornbeam' Spreading, shrubby habit. Needs additional winter protection. Will lose lower
levels of branches when weakened.
C. turczaninowii 'Korean Hornbeam' Native to Japan, China and Korea. Delicate leaves and branching pattern and
red-orange fall colour. Less hardy, needing extra frost protection and will lose lower branches when weakened.
Other Information:
Hornbeam (Carpinus)
Korean Hornbeam
property of Golden Bonsai Nursery
property of Golden Bonsai Nursery