Close-up of a Carpinus betulus branch covered in leaves. The image highlights the dense foliage on the branch, showcasing the vibrant green color and the overall texture of the European Hornbeam leaves
Close-up of Carpinus betulus leaves, commonly known as European Hornbeam. The image highlights the detailed texture and serrated edges of the vibrant green leaves
Side profile view of Carpinus betulus, capturing the silhouette and structure of the European Hornbeam. This image offers a lateral perspective, emphasizing the tree's branching pattern and overall form
Bundles of bare-root Hornbeam plants, highlighting their exposed root systems prepared for planting. This straightforward and practical presentation emphasizes the readiness for efficient transplantation and future growth. buy hornbeam hedge
Hornbeam trees in a field. This image captures the natural and unstructured growth of Carpinus betulus in its outdoor environment, showcasing the distinctive character of Hornbeam in a field setting
Carpinus betulus (Common Hornbeam) 3 Year Transplant (Pack of 25)
Side profile view of a Hornbeam hedge. This photo provides a lateral perspective on a hedge composed of Carpinus betulus
Angled profile view of a Hornbeam hedge
Close-up of a Carpinus betulus branch covered in leaves. The image highlights the dense foliage on the branch, showcasing the vibrant green color and the overall texture of the European Hornbeam leaves
Close-up of Carpinus betulus leaves, commonly known as European Hornbeam. The image highlights the detailed texture and serrated edges of the vibrant green leaves
Side profile view of Carpinus betulus, capturing the silhouette and structure of the European Hornbeam. This image offers a lateral perspective, emphasizing the tree's branching pattern and overall form
video of field grown hornbeam plants
Bundles of bare-root Hornbeam plants, highlighting their exposed root systems prepared for planting. This straightforward and practical presentation emphasizes the readiness for efficient transplantation and future growth. buy hornbeam hedge
Hornbeam trees in a field. This image captures the natural and unstructured growth of Carpinus betulus in its outdoor environment, showcasing the distinctive character of Hornbeam in a field setting
Carpinus betulus (Common Hornbeam) 3 Year Transplant (Pack of 25)
Side profile view of a Hornbeam hedge. This photo provides a lateral perspective on a hedge composed of Carpinus betulus
Angled profile view of a Hornbeam hedge

Carpinus betulus (Common Hornbeam)

Hornbeam is emerging as a more resilient option for Beech in the face of the changing UK climate. Known for its tolerance to different soil conditions and ability to withstand the more frequent wet and waterlogged conditions we are experiencing. The roots of Hornbeam run deep, allowing the plant to extract more ground water once established in the dryer hotter UK summers. With elegant appearance and excellent screening capabilities, Hornbeam is rising in popularity for landscape professionals and garden enthusiasts alike.

  • Soil type: clay, loamy, and sandy
  • Sunlight: full exposure, can tolerate partial shade
  • Optimal tempreature: 5-25°C, hardy to -23°C
  • Growth rate: ranges from 20 to 40 cm/year
  • Weather: tolerant to wind and frost
  • Seasonality: deciduous
  • British native status: native 
  • Family of trees: Betulaceae 
  • Flowers or berries: spring flowers, fruit as nutlets 
  • Soil type: clay, loamy, and sandy
  • Sunlight: full exposure, can tolerate partial shade
  • Optimal temperature: 5-25°C, hardy to -23°C
  • Growth rate: ranges from 20 to 40 cm/year
  • Weather: tolerant to wind and frost
  • Seasonality: deciduous
  • British native status: native 
  • Family of trees: Betulaceae 
  • Flowers or berries: spring flowers, fruit as nutlets 
Carpinus betulus (Common Hornbeam) 3 Year Transplant.jpg__PID:857712ed-253b-4b66-a4cb-7a6a0012b6ca

3 year old Common Hornbeam, transplanted twice (1+2) Bareroot

Pack SizeAgeSizePriceSale
251+240-60cm£32.50£23.75
251+260-80cm£36.25£24.75
251+280-100cm£52.50£34.75
One of Britain’s Hardiest Trees

Hornbeam a hardy and beautiful textured hedge 

Hornbeam wood, known for its pale, creamy color and flecked grain, is incredibly dense and durable. This remarkable hardness has made it a prized material throughout history, particularly for items that require exceptional strength and resilience. Traditionally, hornbeam was used to make ox yokes, which may have contributed to the tree's name— "horn" meaning "hard," and "beam," an old English word for tree. Its strength was also harnessed in the construction of butchers' chopping blocks, piano hammers, and the cogs of windmills and water mills.


In addition to its use in practical items, hornbeam wood has long been favored for firewood and charcoal due to its excellent burning qualities. Coppicing, the practice of cutting back trees to ground level to promote new growth, has long been used with hornbeam. This method ensures a steady supply of hardwood poles, which were historically vital for building and maintaining the rural infrastructure. Pollarding, another traditional practice, involves cutting the upper branches of a tree to encourage a dense head of foliage, and it too has been applied to hornbeam, particularly in managed woodlands.

A Structurally Solid Choice 

Can Hornbeam be used for hedging? 

Hornbeam's  ability to hold onto leaves through the winter makes it particularly well-suited for hedging. A hornbeam hedge can serve as a windbreak, a privacy screen, or simply as a structural element that adds texture to the garden year-round. Unlike many deciduous trees, hornbeam’s winter foliage provides ongoing cover and interest, helping to sustain garden wildlife during the colder months.The hornbeam’s dense wood has long been valued for its durability, this same density makes hornbeam ideal for purposes like creating long-lasting garden structures that are resistant to physical damage. 

An important Forestry species

Hornbeam as a forest tree 

An important species in Britain’s woodlands, particularly on heavier soils in lowland areas. It is often found in mixed forests alongside oaks, where it plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and diversity of these ecosystems. The tree’s deep root system helps stabilize soil, preventing erosion, while its fallen leaves enrich the earth with nutrients as they decompose.

Hornbeam trees are well-suited to Britain’s temperate climate, thriving in moist soils of moderate fertility. They are particularly well-adapted to the more continental climates of eastern and lowland Britain, where they withstand cold winters and resist frost damage. Unlike beech trees, which struggle in waterlogged conditions, hornbeams can tolerate periods of waterlogging, making them a viable alternative in wetter soils.

Suitable soil types

Where to plant Hornbeam

Hornbeam is adaptable to a range of soil types, though it prefers moist, well-drained soils. It can thrive on damp clays, clay with flints, and acid brown earths, and it’s capable of tolerating periods of waterlogging better than many other trees, such as beech. This makes hornbeam a good choice for gardens with challenging soil conditions or those prone to occasional flooding.

Built to last

How long can a Hornbeam live? 

The hornbeam is easily recognizable by its pale grey bark, which develops ridges and a gnarled texture as the tree matures. Reaching up to 30 meters in height and living for over 300 years, this tree is built to last. Its leaves are similar in shape to those of the beech tree—oval with pointed tips—but are smaller and more deeply furrowed. 

Enviromental Benefits

Hornbeam and wildlife

One of the hornbeam’s strengths is its value to wildlife. Its dense canopy offers shelter and nesting opportunities for birds throughout the year. In autumn, its seeds become a food source for various birds, including finches and tits, as well as small mammals. Insects, such as caterpillars of the nut-tree tussock moth, also feed on hornbeam leaves, creating a small but vibrant ecosystem around the tree. For gardeners interested in promoting biodiversity, the hornbeam is a natural choice. 

Benefits of transplanting

  • Bushier Appearance: Trimming the roots and tops during transplanting results in the growth and development of new branches, making the plant bushier, fuller, and visually more appealing
  • Stronger Immune System: Forces growth of fibrous lateral roots, increasing the surface area for nutrient and water absorption, leading to healthier growth, improved resilience against environmental conditions, and enhanced defense against diseases
  • Improved performance: Creates thicker foliage that acts as a protective barrier against strong winds, sunlight, and noise pollution. Benefiting wildlife by providing a more secure shelter with increased food availability.
Read more

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Close-up of a Carpinus betulus branch covered in leaves. The image highlights the dense foliage on the branch, showcasing the vibrant green color and the overall texture of the European Hornbeam leaves
Close-up of Carpinus betulus leaves, commonly known as European Hornbeam. The image highlights the detailed texture and serrated edges of the vibrant green leaves
Side profile view of Carpinus betulus, capturing the silhouette and structure of the European Hornbeam. This image offers a lateral perspective, emphasizing the tree's branching pattern and overall form
Bundles of bare-root Hornbeam plants, highlighting their exposed root systems prepared for planting. This straightforward and practical presentation emphasizes the readiness for efficient transplantation and future growth. buy hornbeam hedge
Hornbeam trees in a field. This image captures the natural and unstructured growth of Carpinus betulus in its outdoor environment, showcasing the distinctive character of Hornbeam in a field setting
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Side profile view of a Hornbeam hedge. This photo provides a lateral perspective on a hedge composed of Carpinus betulus
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Close-up of a Carpinus betulus branch covered in leaves. The image highlights the dense foliage on the branch, showcasing the vibrant green color and the overall texture of the European Hornbeam leaves
Close-up of Carpinus betulus leaves, commonly known as European Hornbeam. The image highlights the detailed texture and serrated edges of the vibrant green leaves
Side profile view of Carpinus betulus, capturing the silhouette and structure of the European Hornbeam. This image offers a lateral perspective, emphasizing the tree's branching pattern and overall form
video of field grown hornbeam plants
Bundles of bare-root Hornbeam plants, highlighting their exposed root systems prepared for planting. This straightforward and practical presentation emphasizes the readiness for efficient transplantation and future growth. buy hornbeam hedge
Hornbeam trees in a field. This image captures the natural and unstructured growth of Carpinus betulus in its outdoor environment, showcasing the distinctive character of Hornbeam in a field setting
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