Hornbeam Pleached Tree (Carpinus Betulus)

Hornbeam Pleached Tree Description

The hornbeam pleached tree is a refined and versatile ornamental tree, prized for its ability to be shaped into a formal, structured screen that adds elegance and privacy to gardens. With lush, oval-shaped leaves that start out bright green in spring, mature into a deep green in summer, and turn a warm golden yellow in autumn, the hornbeam provides changing seasonal interest. Even in winter, the tree often holds onto its dried leaves, creating a natural privacy screen that softens the starkness of winter landscapes.

Pruning Advice

Pruning is essential for maintaining the structure and dense appearance of the pleached hornbeam. Here’s a guide to ensure it remains in optimal condition:

Timing: The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. This encourages fresh foliage and helps maintain the tree’s shape. A light trim in late summer can also be beneficial for keeping it tidy.

Method: Start by removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve airflow and reduce disease risk. For pleached trees, focus on trimming lateral shoots to maintain the pleached shape and height. Use sharp pruning shears to ensure clean cuts, and avoid heavy pruning, as this can affect the tree’s balance and growth.

Annual Maintenance: Regularly inspect the tree for signs of pests or diseases and adjust pruning as needed. Light trims throughout the growing season can help keep the pleached hornbeam looking neat and compact.

Further Information

Privacy and Screening: When pleached, the dense, layered foliage of the hornbeam forms an effective privacy screen, blocking unwanted views and reducing noise. Its ability to retain dried leaves through winter adds year-round privacy, making it ideal for boundary planting or creating secluded outdoor spaces.

Seasonal Interest: The hornbeam’s foliage offers beautiful colour changes across the seasons, from fresh greens in spring and summer to rich golden tones in autumn. Its unique habit of retaining dried leaves through winter adds an interesting textural element to the garden during the colder months.

Windbreak: The tightly woven pleached form of the hornbeam provides a natural windbreak, offering protection for plants and outdoor spaces. Its resilience to wind and frost makes it especially suitable for UK gardens.

Wildlife-Friendly: The hornbeam’s flowers, small catkins that appear in spring, attract a variety of pollinators. The tree also provides shelter for birds, especially in its pleached form, which offers ample cover and protection.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.