Hedges Direct 
Carpinus betulus 'European Hornbeam' - 10/12 Girth - 180cm Stem - 120Hx120W (Pleached) Carpinus betulus
Out of stock
Key Features
AVERAGE GROWING
HAS FLOWERS (White)
COLOURFUL FOLIAGE
Seasonal Availablity
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC
Description
Carpinus betulus, commonly known as European Hornbeam, is one of the most popular trees for pleached screening thanks to its dense foliage, strong branching structure, and excellent response to pruning. Its fresh green serrated leaves create a thick canopy through spring and summer, providing effective privacy and structure.
When trained as a pleached tree, Hornbeam forms a flat panel of foliage above a clear stem, making it perfect for creating elegant living screens along boundaries, terraces, and pathways. In autumn, the leaves turn warm shades of golden yellow before often remaining as coppery-brown foliage through winter, offering partial screening during colder months.
Hardy, resilient, and tolerant of a wide range of soil types including heavier clay soils, Carpinus betulus is a reliable and long-lived choice for formal gardens and landscape planting.
Supplied as a pleached specimen with 10–12cm girth and approximately 1.8m clear stem height (pot grown), this well-trained tree provides immediate structure and screening.
- Pleached deciduous hornbeam tree
- Dense green summer foliage
- Golden autumn colour
- Often retains brown leaves in winter
- Ideal for formal garden screening
- Excellent for clay soils
- Hardy and easy to maintain
- Supplied 10–12cm girth – approx. 1.2m clear stem (pleached, pot grown)
Position: Plant in full sun or partial shade.
Planting: Plant in fertile, well-drained soil. Particularly tolerant of heavier clay soils.
Watering & Feeding: Water well after planting and during the first growing season. Feed in spring if required.
Pruning: Trim once or twice during the growing season to maintain the pleached framework and encourage dense foliage.
Winter Care: Fully hardy. Stake securely after planting until established.
Q: What is a pleached tree?
Pleached trees have branches trained into a flat framework above a clear stem to form a living screen.
Q: Does Hornbeam keep its leaves in winter?
Many dried leaves remain through winter, offering some screening.
Q: Is Hornbeam suitable for clay soil?
Yes-Carpinus betulus performs very well in clay soils.
Q: Is it good for privacy screens?
Yes-one of the best trees for pleached garden screening.
Q: What does 10/12 girth mean?
The trunk circumference measures 10–12cm at 1 metre above ground.
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Step 1
Root Grow & Fertiliser
Ensure you buy root grow and fertiliser with your plants at the time of purchase
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Step 2
Prepare Your Planting Area
Make sure your planting area is in good condition and suitable for planting
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Step 3
Plant & Feed
Plant with root grow & the second feed. Support plants if necessary. Water regularly