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Carpinus betulus Lucas - Hornbeam

Carpinus betulus Lucas
Common Hornbeam

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Received very beautiful trees: the naked roots are numerous and healthy, the trees are already well-pruned.

Manuella, 03/04/2021

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More information

Carpinus betulus 'Lucas' is a recent variety of common hornbeam with an upright, dense, and compact growth. It reaches a height of about 10m (32ft 10in) with a spread of only 2.50m at maturity, making it very interesting as a street tree. Its green, wavy, and dentate leaves are larger and darker than those of other cultivars. They turn yellow-brown to golden yellow in autumn. This vigorous hornbeam is hardy and resilient, making it truly easy to grow.  
Flower size
7 cm
Height at maturity
10 m
Spread at maturity
2.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time February, October to November
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time March to May
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Description

Carpinus betulus 'Lucas' is a recent variety of common hornbeam with a slender, dense, and compact growth habit. It reaches a height of about 10m (32ft 10in) with a spread of only 2.50m at maturity, making it very suitable as a tree for aligning along narrow alleys and avenues, or as a border tree in a medium-sized garden. Its green leaves are larger and darker than those of other cultivars. They turn yellow-brown to golden yellow in autumn and persist on grey-brown branches before falling. This vigorous hornbeam is very hardy and resilient, and is truly easy to grow.

 

Carpinus betulus, sometimes called hornbeam, is a tree native to forests in Europe and Asia Minor (Turkey and Ukraine), and has a pyramidal habit that becomes more rounded over time. Its straight trunk is covered with pale grey to grey-green bark. The bark is smooth in young hornbeams and becomes fissured as it ages. Its flowers are monoecious, either male or female, appearing in autumn (male catkins) and spring (female catkins). Carpinus betulus produces pendulous clusters of fruits, 3 to 6cm (1.2 to 2.4in) long, which are green and turn yellow-brown when mature in late September. These fruits are called samaras and are toxic.

The 'Lucas' variety is a Belgian cultivar selected in 2003. It stands out from the species with its slender, compact, and remarkably narrow habit, becoming more ovate with age. At maturity, this small tree will not exceed 10m (32ft 10in) in height with a spread of 2.50m (8ft 2in). Its dark grey-brown branches bear foliage composed of large, ovate, and doubly dentate leaves, measuring 8 to 12cm (3.1 to 4.7in) long. The colour is a dark green from spring to summer, turning to a bright yellow-brown to golden yellow in autumn.

The 'Lucas' hornbeam is a very hardy and undemanding plant, adapting to any sufficiently deep soil, even dry, and suitable for urban environments. It is particularly well suited for aligning along narrow alleys or as a garden border. It can also be integrated into a hedge, combined with other deciduous foliage shrubs such as Cotinus, deciduous Euonymus, Persian ironwood, or Montpellier maple, all of which are equally easy to grow in all regions.

The wood of the common hornbeam is used for heating, papermaking, as well as for tools and children's toys. It is a shrub that rarely exceeds 100 years in the wild.

 

Carpinus betulus Lucas - Hornbeam in pictures

Carpinus betulus Lucas - Hornbeam (Foliage) Foliage
Carpinus betulus Lucas - Hornbeam (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 10 m
Spread at maturity 2.50 m
Habit upright, columnar
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flowering time March to May
Inflorescence Spike

Foliage

Foliage persistence Marcescent
Foliage colour dark green
Foliage description Deciduous

Safety measures

Potential risks Plant that can cause respiratory allergy due to pollen

Botanical data

Genus

Carpinus

Species

betulus

Cultivar

Lucas

Family

Betulaceae

Other common names

Common Hornbeam

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference872101

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Planting and care

Carpinus betulus 'Lucas' particularly appreciates cool semi-shaded areas but can also live in non-violent sunlight. Place it sheltered from cold and drying winds in any type of soil as long as it is well-drained. However, it fears acidic soils. Common Hornbeam withstands cold and heat well but does not tolerate summer heatwaves, especially when the soil lacks depth. It thrives in a continental climate. It may be susceptible to coral disease and can be invaded by caterpillars and aphids.

Planting period

Best planting time February, October to November
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Back of border, Free-standing, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, Well-drained soil

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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