Carpinus betulus 'Frans Fontaine'
Columnar European Hornbeam

Carpinus betulus ′Frans Fontaine′ - Winter Habit
 Family:
 Genus:
 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:
30-35 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
15-18 feet
 Light Requirements:
 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 central leader and is smaller and slower growing than the similar cultivar 'Fastigiata'.
  Special Characteristics:
  • Groupings 212
  • Hedge 277
  • Screen 190
  • Street Tree 140
  • Notable Bark 168
  • Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 196

    • 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 'Frans Fontaine' is a tight, narrow, columnar cultivar with densely set branches and leaves. Over time this cultivar retains its fastigiate form better than the similar cultivar 'Fastigiata'.

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

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