European Hornbeam

Dense Green Foliage
Excellent Hedge Tree
Yellow Fall Color

Our Guarantee Customer Reviews

#7 Container

$286.00

6 in stock

Size

Clear

Add installation for only _ per item!

$286.00

The Grasshopper Guarantee

We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
FREE Local Delivery

Grasshopper Gardens offers free home delivery to customers in our local service areas. Experience the convenience of having your plants delivered straight to your home, free of charge, saving you time and effort.

Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
In Stock
518-793-9623

European Hornbeam

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

European Hornbeam

European Hornbeam is a stately deciduous tree valued for dense green foliage, smooth gray bark, yellow fall color, and excellent tolerance of shaping. It works beautifully as a formal hedge, privacy screen, street tree, shade tree, or refined specimen in structured landscapes.

Why choose European Hornbeam?

Choose European Hornbeam for a versatile landscape tree that combines classic structure, dense branching, and strong pruning tolerance. It can be grown naturally as a handsome shade tree or clipped into hedges, screens, pleached forms, and formal garden features. Its dark green summer foliage creates a full, polished look, while the yellow fall color and smooth gray bark add seasonal interest. This is a dependable choice for larger landscapes, property borders, entry drives, and gardens needing long-term architectural presence.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Carpinus betulus
Common Name: European Hornbeam
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Growth Habit: Upright to rounded, dense branching, adaptable to formal pruning

European Hornbeam Additional Information

European Hornbeam is known for its dense canopy, finely textured foliage, and smooth gray bark that becomes increasingly attractive as the tree matures. The leaves are dark green through summer with toothed edges and a neat, layered appearance. In fall, foliage typically turns yellow to golden yellow, adding a bright seasonal finish before leaf drop. Small spring catkins appear before or with the leaves, followed by small nutlets held in leafy bracts that may attract birds and wildlife.

This species is especially valued for its ability to handle pruning, making it useful for formal hedges, privacy screens, pleached rows, allees, and architectural garden designs. When grown as a single tree, it develops into a medium to large shade tree with strong landscape presence. Prune hedged forms as needed during the growing season, or prune structural branches while dormant to guide shape and remove crossing or damaged growth.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant European Hornbeam in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Set the root flare at or slightly above the surrounding soil level and choose a site with enough space for either its natural canopy or intended hedge form.

2. Watering: Water deeply after planting and keep soil consistently moist during the first growing season. Once established, provide supplemental water during extended dry periods, especially in full sun, sandy soil, or exposed planting locations.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 inch mulch layer over the root zone to help conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature. Keep mulch pulled away from the trunk to protect bark health.

4. Pruning: Prune lightly while young to develop a strong framework. For hedges or formal shapes, trim as needed to maintain clean lines; for specimen trees, remove damaged, crossing, or crowded branches during dormancy.

Related Resources

FAQs

How large does European Hornbeam get?
European Hornbeam can grow into a medium to large deciduous tree, often reaching about 40 to 60 feet tall with a broad canopy when left unpruned. Hedges and formal forms can be maintained much smaller with regular trimming.
Can European Hornbeam be used as a hedge?
Yes. European Hornbeam is one of the best trees for formal hedging because it branches densely and responds well to pruning. It can be shaped into screens, clipped hedges, pleached rows, or structured garden features.
What does European Hornbeam look like in fall?
The dark green summer foliage usually turns yellow to golden yellow in fall. After leaf drop, the smooth gray bark and dense branching continue to provide structure in the landscape.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Tall Growth
Partial Shade
Plant Spacing

Mature Height	Large: Up to 30 ft or more
Mature Spread	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Moderate, Slow
Botanical Name	Carpinus betulus
Bloom Time	Early Spring
Deer Resistant	Usually
Hardiness Zones	5, 6, 7, 8
Family	Oleaceae
Flower Color	Yellow/Orange
Light Needs	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#7 Container

Map of the United States with all states outlined and filled in dark greenli

Growing Zones 4-8 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

Compare Similar Products

Name	Adams Crabapple	Sugar Maple	Radiant Crabapple	Heritage River Birch	Common Hackberry	Kentucky Coffeetree
Rating
Mature Height	Medium: Up to 30 ft	Medium: Up to 30 ft	Medium: Up to 30 ft	Large: Up to 30 ft or more	Medium: Up to 30 ft	Large: Up to 30 ft or more
Mature Spread	10-20 ft	20+ ft	20+ ft	20+ ft	20+ ft	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Moderate	Moderate, Slow	Moderate	Fast	Fast	Moderate, Slow
Bloom Time	Mid spring, Early Summer	Mid spring, Early Spring	Late Spring, Mid spring	Mid spring, Early Spring	Mid spring	Late Spring, Early Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually	Usually	No	Usually	Usually	Usually
Family	Rosaceae	Sapindaceae	Rosaceae	Betulaceae	Cannabaceae	Fabaceae
Flower Color	Pink	Non Flowering	White	Non Flowering	Non Flowering	White
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Medium