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Ostrya carpinifolia

Ostrya carpinifolia

Hop-hornbeam, hophornbeam

Description

Ostrya carpinifolia (Hop-hornbeam) naturally occurs in South Europe and in Asia Minor. The hop-hornbeam grows in the southernmost regions in moist environments with partial shade; in the northern regions, the tree acts more as a pioneer species and grows in light, warm and underdeveloped soil. Ostrya carpinifolia grows in thin, rocky soil and forms the undergrowth in the Pinus nigra forest, along with other species including Carpinus orientalis, Fraxinus ornus and Quercus pubescens. In its original distribution area, the hop-hornbeam grows up to 25 metres tall; in cultivation, it usually does not grow to be more than 18 metres tall with a wide, irregular wide egg-shaped to round crown up to 15 metres wide. Ostrya carpinifolia is a host plant for white truffles.

The hop-hornbeam blooms yellow-green in April with both striking male and short female catkins. In summer, its fruits are even more striking than its blooms: nuts in large, white-green, hop-like fruits and - turning brown - stay on the tree until deep into autumn. The egg-shaped, doubly serrate leaves are dark green, with a light green, hairy underside and turn yellow in autumn. Both the leaves and the tree shape of the hop-hornbeam are similar to those of Carpinus. At an early age, Ostrya carpinifolia has bark covered in lenticels; when it is older, the bark becomes rough and peels off.

Ostrya carpinifolia is mainly suitable for use in parks, central reservations and gardens. But the tree can also be used in wide streets and avenues, as it tolerates pavement and drought quite well. The species prefers warm microclimates and is thus absolutely suitable for use in highly urbanised areas. After planting, the hop-hornbeam initially grows a bit slowly. Once the tree’s roots are a bit further settled, the pace at which it grows will pick up. The hop-hornbeam can handle shade very well, will grow in all types of permeable soil and though it prefers lime-rich soil, it will also tolerate acidic soil. Ostrya carpinifolia is a beautiful, low-maintenance tree that does not suffer much damage.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees shade trees

Topiary on stem

fval roof-trained fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

street avenue square car park / parking lot park central reservation in containers roof garden large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones countryside

Pavement

none none open open sealed sealed

Planting concepts

prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

rounded rounded wide egg-shaped wide egg-shaped

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

14 - 18 m

Width

8 - 15 m

Winter hardiness zone

5B - 8A

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

very dry dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Ostrya carpinifolia? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

Magnify

Seasonal colours

Ostrya carpinifolia seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

catkins striking pendulous

Flower colour

yellow-green

Flowering period

April

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green underside pale green

Leaves

deciduous ovate ovoid underside hairy doubly serrate

Autumn colour

yellow

Fruits

Fruit colour

brown-green

Fruits

striking winged large nut

Bark

Bark colour

brown

Bark

peeling furrowed smooth

Twigs

Twig colour

dark brown

Twigs

bare with lenticels

Root system

Root system

deep extensive

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
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