Hornbeam

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Hornbeam (Latin Carpinus) - a large shrub or tree of the Birch family (Betulaceae). In nature, hornbeam is found in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, most of the species are common in Asia, especially in China. Only two species grow in Europe. More than 30 species are currently known.

Characteristics of culture

Hornbeam is a deciduous shrub or tree with longitudinally ribbed trunks covered with slightly fissured or smooth bark, and a dense spreading crown, the frame of which consists of thin branches. Leaves are simple, dark green, falling, double toothed, with parallel-pinnate veins, elliptical or oval in shape, 3-10 cm long. The foliage is alternate, two-row.

The flowers are dioecious, presented in the form of earrings, blooming simultaneously with the leaves. Perianth flowers do not have staminal flowers. Pistillate flowers sit in the axils of small integumentary scales. The fruit is a unilocular nutlet, often woody, longitudinally ribbed, sitting at the base of the leaf-shaped envelope (otherwise the plyus).

Growing conditions

Hornbeam is a light-loving culture, although most forms develop well in partial shade. Soils for growing hornbeam are desirable loose, moderately moist, fertile with a high lime content. Plants are negatively related to flooding, salinization, acidification and compaction. Hornbeams are wind-resistant and frost-resistant, easily tolerate elevated temperatures, provided there is sufficient moisture in the soil.

Reproduction and planting

Hornbeams are propagated by seeds, cuttings and layering. In culture, hornbeam is most often propagated by seed. Seeds need step-by-step stratification: the first stage lasts 15-16 days at a temperature of 20C, the second stage - 90-120 days at a temperature of 1-10C. Seed germination rate ranges from 35 to 40%. Sowing seeds without prior stratification is carried out immediately after their collection in open ground under a shelter in the form of peat or humus. The seeding depth is 2-3 cm.

The remaining seeds are stored in a tightly sealed container, paper or plastic bag in a refrigerator or in a dry unheated room with an air temperature of 3C and a relative humidity of 9-19%. When all storage conditions are met, the seeds remain viable for 2-3 years.

When the culture is propagated by cuttings, the planting material is cut in the spring and treated with growth stimulants, after which it is planted in greenhouses before rooting. Rooted cuttings are transplanted to a permanent place.

Care

Hornbeams can be safely ranked as unpretentious plants that do not need special care, which consists of procedures that are standard for all ornamental shrubs and trees. Hornbeam requires regular and abundant watering, but waterlogging should not be allowed.

No less important is preventive treatment against pests and diseases, weeding and loosening of the near-stem zone, as well as sanitary and formative pruning. Sanitary pruning is carried out in early spring before the buds swell; frozen, diseased and broken branches are removed from the plants. Young hornbeams need shelter for the winter.

Application

Almost all types of hornbeams are highly decorative, and they are grown not only in city parks, but also in summer cottages. Hornbeams look great in solitary and group plantings. Since the plants tolerate formative pruning and shearing well, the crop is often used to create hedges, bersot and various shapes.

Hornbeam wood is used for the manufacture of billiard cues, piano keys, cutting boards, shovel and rake cuttings, some musical instruments, floor coverings, including parquet, machine tools and various furniture. The wood of the culture is quite capricious, it does not lend itself well to processing and polishing, in addition, it is susceptible to moisture. But with special treatment it is not subject to decay.