Ostrya Carpinifolia

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Betulaceae

Order

Fagales

Genus

Ostrya

Species

carpinifolia

Description

Polyennial deciduous tree with erect habitus and rounded crown when mature. Versatile in use, it is popular with landscapers and plant enthusiasts as an elegant addition to large green spaces, both private and public, where it provides shelter from direct sunlight in the warmer summer months with its light green foliage that changes to bright golden-yellow shades in the autumn, adding to its ornamental value. Also refined are the spring inflorescences in the form of catkins followed by the small cluster-like infructescences similar to hop cones.
With its high ecological adaptability, it tolerates drought well as well as the winter cold, preferring full sun exposures in soil free of waterlogging.

Varietal description

Medium-sized tree with regular branches forming an open, luminous crown. Elegant habit with light green leaves, turning a glossy golden yellow in autumn. Lovely white flowering, but not excessive, pendulous fruits. Excellent adaptability to various types of soils and growing environments, including urban. Requires a sunny exposure and tolerates partly shady areas. Develops deep roots in the soil, with many secondary roots; prefers clay and sandy soils, but grows well in all soil types. Multifunctional tree, suitable for park areas, urban avenues, gardens, roof gardens. It has good drought and de-icing salt resistance and adaptability to coastal areas. Resistant to pathogens and does not require much pruning, which must be oriented towards maintaining the shape while respecting the architecture of the foliage. Tree type for the formation of forests and naturalistic areas.

curiosity and special features

The generic term Ostrya derives from the Greek óstreion or oyster, referring to the fruits with agglomerated shell-like capsules, while the specific epithet carpinifolia is linked to the type of leaf. In the past, the hornbeam was cultivated in short-cycle coppice for firewood production by exploiting its ability to produce abundant suckers at the collar, while the bark was used for dyeing textiles and the foliage as fodder for livestock; a particular use of its elastic and fibrous wood was in the manufacture of buttons and spools for weaving.

Origin and Diffusion

The home range of the hornbeam includes the temperate biomes of south-eastern Europe, Turkey and the Caucasus.

Leaf

The leaf has a toothed, oval lamina with a doubly serrated margin.

Flowering period

Flowering occurs from early spring to late spring for a duration of 10 to 20 days, displaying elegant, sinuous inflorescences formed by catkins.

Leaf color

A unicolour hue that takes on bright golden-yellow hues in the course of autumn.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 10 to 20 m, representing a second-sized tree plant.

Lifespan

Deciduous polyannual tree.

Suggested planting locations

Because of the elegance conferred by the architecture of the foliage, which is regular and wide and creates scenic plays of light, it is appreciated by landscapers and green enthusiasts as a tree for large flower beds and road roundabouts, open fields, green roofs

Stem/stem

The stem is woody and regular, with smooth reddish-brown bark in young trees, greyish-brown in adult specimens; the variety has no thorns.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth tree.

Plant habit

It develops an erect habitus with a sub-conical gathered foliage in the juvenile stage, globular and more rounded in adult specimens.

branching

Abundant branching creates an elegant yet sinuous and scenic plant architecture.

pH

It prefers soils with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral, in the optimal range of 6.0 to 7.0.

soil preparation

Before transplanting in late autumn to late winter, choose the most suitable location, in relation to the plant's needs, and use a spade to make the planting hole at least one third the size of the root or root ball volume, removing any weeds and bulky pebbles. Add organic matter and apply organic or granular chemical fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants for background fertilisation to ensure the nutrients the plant needs in the early post-transplant phases. Finally, distribute professional substrate on the surface for about 5/10 cm.

sun exposure

In order to ensure suitable light conditions for balanced vegetative growth, transplant the hornbeam in exposed positions in half shade, full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 0.0 and 35 °C for suitable vegetative growth.

Use

A multifunctional tree, due to its good drought and pathogen resistance as well as its developed habitus it is widely used in design in different green areas such as

Outdoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

Ahighly rustic tree species, it has good resistance to drought and de-icing salt, making it the optimal choice even in urban areas; it also adapts well to hot summer and cold winter climates, even in frozen ground conditions.

Soil/medium

Hornbeam adapts to different soil conditions as long as they are well drained and free of water saturation.

Maintenance

On the whole, the cultivation of black hornbeam is easy with a low level of effort required, adding value to the Species, also with a view to optimising maintenance work.

cultivation tips

In order to favour a correct development of roots and foliage, thus obtaining a healthy and well-proportioned plant, some specific cultivation conditions and techniques for the hornbeam are indicated below:

Balanced fertilisation Expose the plant to maximum light Plant which adapts very well to cold winter climates, and also thrives in frozen soil conditions. Requires little but regular fertilisation Correct pruning

planting

For transplanting, adopt an average density of 1500 plants/ha, choosing healthy specimens, free from abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Always identify the planting site in advance in relation to the growth conditions required by the species according to the principle of 'the right plant in the right place'.

It is advisable to carry out physiological support pruning by removing, by means of a clean cut with clean, sharp blades, the long, thin filaments of the roots as well as the spindly, thin branches of the foliage; then place the root ball in the previously dug planting hole, keeping the plant's collar off the soil surface and watering immediately after planting.

pruning

Carry out training pruning to shape the shape of the foliage and determine its structure as well as adjust the scaffolding of the branches. It is suggested that low branches be pruned when they are small so as not to cause injuries and scars on the trunk, while for dense and sound-absorbing hedges, hornbeam plants should never be pruned but only trimmed at the apex to make the lateral and low branches grow.

Reproduction/Propagation

Multiplication can be by seed, cuttings or grafting.

Irrigation

When transplanting, assist the plant by carrying out an initial abundant wetting to allow it to better develop the root system in the new site, keeping it at a constant humidity free of water stagnation and dryness. Afterwards, prevent conditions of water saturation and provide quantities with frequencies and doses also commensurate with the climatic trend during the different seasons.

Fertilization

When preparing the soil for transplanting, carry out basic fertilisation by applying organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants. After planting in the new site, carry out balanced fertilisation in spring and autumn without over- or under-fertilisation.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible Species.

Human toxicity

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

advise 1

Prune the low branches when they are small so as not to injure and scar the trunk. In order to form dense, sound-absorbing hedges, hornbeam plants should never be pruned, but only trimmed at the apex to make the lateral and low branches stunted.