Common Name: Hornbeam

General Information

Carpinus betulus is a deciduous tree with a dense crown; it usually grows up to 20 metres tall but can reach 30 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a hedge. There are several ornamental cultivars[].
Carpinus betulus is a common species across the majority of its large range, and there are no reported range wide
threats currently impacting it. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2014)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Europe to western Asia - Spain to Britain and Sweden, east to Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus

Habitat

Broadleaved or mixed forestsd and hedgerows, it is co-dominant with Quercus iberica in broad leaved forests in Western Asia, usually on sandy or clay loams, but preferring heavier soils; at elevations up to 1,000 - 1,200 metres[, , ]

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Dormant trees are very cold tolerant, the young growth is not usually damaged by late spring frosts[]. The trees cast a deep shade[, ].
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[]. Succeeds in all but the most acid soils[].
A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties[, ].
Trees are shallow-rooted[].
The species is resistant to bark damage when it is chewed by animals, even when the outer surface is completely removed the exposed cambium often heals over completely[].
Regeneration from seed is a slow process, as most seeds are taken by animals and birds, and seed germination can
take two to three years[].
Trees take 10 - 20 years from seed before they produce seed[] and about 100 years to reach maturity[].
The tree regenerates freely from the base if cut back, and at one time it was commonly pollarded or coppiced for its wood and for fuel[, , ].
The hornbeam has 28 species of associated insects[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are haemostatic[]. They are used in external compresses to stop bleeding and heal wounds[]. A distilled water made from the leaves is an effective eye lotion[].
The leaves are harvested in August and dried for later use[].

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Tiredness', 'Weariness' and 'Mental and physical exhaustion'[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as a medium to tall hedge, they retain their dead leaves throughout the winter if clipped at least once a year in late summer[, , ]. They should not be clipped in spring since they will bleed profusely[]. The plant responds well to trimming and has been used in topiary[].

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins[].
A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[, ].

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

The wood is heavy, close grained, very hard, very tough, very durable, (though one report says that it is not very durable). The trunk is usually crooked, which makes the wood of little value for larger purposes such as construction, but it is excellent for making small items, especially where great resistance to friction is required[]. It is used for construction, flooring, cogs, tools, piano mechanisms etc[, , , , ]. The very hard wood is used for making mallet heads, tool handles, levers, and other small, hard, wooden objects[].
The wood makes a good fuel[]. It burns hot and slowly, making it a very suitable firewood; it has a calorific value almost equal to coal[].

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.