Carpinus betulus

Hornbeam

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
20m 1
30m 5
Usually up to 25m 6
32m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Ovoid to globular crown 1
Over 8m 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: High (302 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Dense 13

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Low to moderate 139

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree: Potentially 400+ years 2

Management & Systems

Typical systemsiCommon agroforestry or silvicultural systems where this species is used:
Lowland 2
Arable, pasture and veg systems 5

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability:
Coppices well 13
Can be pollarded 13

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Slow-growing, may require aftercare, susceptible to squirrel damage but less favoured by deer 3

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Minimal or no pruning 1

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Spring (late) to summer 1

Hornbeam, Reading, UK / Tom Staton / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: –

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp:
Specialised timber 2
Max YC 10 4

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: Fuelwood 2, charcoal 1

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: –

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: 15-25 year coppice rotation 11, or 30-40 years 8

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Low to moderate – low to moderate root depth, moderate canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Moderate
Long-term (60 years): Moderate

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Native 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Relatively low 5
Highest value for mycorrhizal fungi, leaf litter, seeds 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Apr-May 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Low 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: None known

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: None known

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Moderate
Generally only damaged by non-specialised fungi 9
Susceptible to fungal diseases, especially Phytophthora 3
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, coral spot, sometimes honey fungus 6

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Low
May be susceptible to caterpillars and aphids 6

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Moderate to high
Moderate sensitivity to browsing 7
Susceptible to bark-stripping by squirrels 3
Less browsed by deer, but squirrels can cause severe damage 5