Carpinus betulus 'Columnaris'
Columnar European Hornbeam

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Yellow;green (April; male catkins, not ornamentally important;female catkins, not ornamentally important)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Summer); Yellow (Fall)
 Fruit Notes:
Brown (3-lobed nutlets in long clusters that resemble "hops")
 Ultimate Height:
25 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
10 feet
 Soil Notes:
Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well-drained soils
 Range:
Cultivated Origin
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves alternate, simple, 2.5-5" long and 1-2" wide with doubly serrated margins. Brown to red buds are long, pointed, and imbricate, with scales having soft pubescence. Axillary buds curve in toward the stem. This columnar cultivar has a strong central leader and is smaller and slower growing than the similar cultivar 'Fastigiata'. Also compared to 'Fastigiata', 'Columnaris' is tighter and narrower, with leaves that tend to be more distributed along the ends of the branches.

Additional Information

Carpinus betulus is relatively trouble-free and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and some shade. This plant is also very tolerant of heavy pruning, making it useful as a hedge. The cultivar 'Columnaris' is a narrow, columnar cultivar that is slow-growing with densely set branches and leaves.

When Carpinus betulus 'Columnaris' has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Fruiting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Other plants like this Carpinus betulus 'Columnaris' (Columnar European Hornbeam)

The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department

Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
© 2025 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Integrity Statement | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by the Purdue Arboretum
Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us