Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’
$284.99
Carpinus betulus Frans Fontaine keeps a narrow columnar crown, with green leaves turning rich yellow in fall and brown leaves often held through winter.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Carpinus betulus Frans Fontaine grows into a tall, exceptionally narrow column that fits along streets, near buildings, and in compact urban gardens. Its dense crown reaches about 26 to 39 feet tall while staying roughly 8 to 13 feet wide, giving vertical screening without a broad canopy.
Fresh green leaves cover the upright branches in spring and summer, then turn rich golden yellow in fall. Many dry brown leaves remain attached through winter before dropping in spring, so a closely planted row continues to soften views after the growing season. Smooth gray bark becomes darker with age.
This male cultivar bears green catkins in spring but does not produce fruit. It accepts full sun or partial shade and grows in chalk, clay, loam, or sand, including soil that is dry or wet after establishment. Water regularly while roots establish. Pruning is usually unnecessary, though winter shaping can maintain a formal hedge.
Additional information
| Height | 26 ft – 39 ft |
|---|---|
| Spread | 8 ft – 13 ft |
| Flowering months | March, April |
| Synonyms | Carpinus betulus 'Frans Fontaine' |
| Family | Betulaceae |
| Hazardous | unknown |
| Variegated | unknown |
| Color flower spring | Green, Yellow |
| Aspect | East, South, West |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Habit | Columnar upright |
| Moisture | Wet or Damp Soil, Moist but Well Drained, Well Drained Soil |
| Ph | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Position | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Scent | No |
| Shape | Column |
| Suggest planting location | Urban and courtyard gardens, Architectural planting, Hedges and screening plants, Formal Garden |
| Type | Tree |
| Use for | Architectural, Hedge, Screen |
| Years to max height | 10 |
| Drought resistance | moderate |
| Soil | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Local names | Frans Fontaine European Hornbeam, Columnar European Hornbeam |
| Blomidon Item No | MO23001786, CARBEFF20010G, CARCARFF007G, 201811475, 201811476, 201811477, 201811478, 201811479, 201811480, 202058346, 201958172 |
| Cultivation | Plant in full sun or partial shade in ordinary soil that drains or stays evenly moist. Water regularly while roots establish; winter pruning is usually unnecessary but may maintain the columnar crown. |
| Usps | Its slim green column turns rich golden yellow in fall., Dense foliage forms a tall, narrow hedge or privacy screen., Grow in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. |
| Propagation | Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or early summer, or by grafting. |
| Pests | May be susceptible to caterpillars and aphids. |
| Diseases | May be susceptible to powdery mildew, coral spot, and honey fungus. |
| Pruning | Pruning is usually unnecessary, but shape the crown in winter if needed. |
| Watering instructions | Water regularly while establishing; mature trees handle moderate drought. |
| Sunlight instructions | Plant in full sun or partial shade with east, south, or west exposure. |