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;

Growing Place Choice Plants

Our Growing Place Choice plants are chosen because they are strong performers year after year, staying attractive with less maintenance when planted in the right place.

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Ornamental Features

Frans Fontaine Hornbeam has forest green foliage throughout the season. The glossy pointy leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant. 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 tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, 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
• 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 medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 75 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. 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.