Common Name:

General Information

Carpinus cordata is a deciduous shrub or small tree that usually grows around 5 - 10 metres tall but can grow up to 18 metres[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its wood, for food and also for use as a cosmetic ingredient.
Carpinus cordata has a wide distribution and there are no reported major threats to this species. It is therefore
not considered to be globally threatened. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East (southern Primorye), northern and eastern China, Korea, Japan.

Habitat

Forests, growing on deep, rich and moist soils of mountain slopes; at elevations from 200 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Carpinus species are generally tolerant of a wide range of soil types; they prefer a deep, open, moist but well-drained loam and can succeed in both clay and calcareous soils186, []. Plants, especially when young, do not demand much light[].
A very ornamental tree[] but it is slow growing in Britain[].

Edible Uses

The seeds are sometimes pressed to yield an edible oil[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

The white wood is hard and close grained. It is used for making small items, agriultural tools, furniture, turnery etc[, , , ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in an outdoors seedbed as soon as it is ripe[]. Germination is usually good, though it may take 18 months[]. If collected whilst still 'green' (after the seed is ripe but before it has dried fully on the plant) and sown immediately it should germinate in the following spring[]. Grow the plants on for two years in the seedbed and then plant them out into their permanent positions in the winter. The average seed viability is around 65%[].
Pre-treat stored seed with 4 weeks warm and 12 weeks cold stratification and sow in a cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame until they are at least 15cm tall before planting them into their permanent positions.