Hornbeam

I have, for some time, been considering a blog on the subject of the Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus. There seems no logical reason for this as it is not a spectacular tree in terms of fruit, foliage or dimensions - at least, not in the Daventry area. Perhaps its most interesting feature, for me at least, are its catkin-like fruiting spikes, looking vaguely like hops. Alas, when I went to photograph some a couple of weeks ago they were well beyond their best.

This female catkin, rather high in a tree, was the only specimen I could

find. Byfield Pocket Park, 16 August, 2020

These catkins would be easily overlooked were it not for the leafy enlarged bracts more or less surrounding the fruit, which takes the form of a nutlet. This photograph, taken by Walter Obermayer, is far clearer than I could achieve.

A better view. Photograph by Walter Obermayer

So, is there nothing else of interest? Certainly the wood is the hardest, heaviest and toughest of our native trees (in parts of Norfolk it was once known as 'hardbeam') and in the past was put to use as axles on carts, or indeed, any moving parts. However it apparently decays quickly when exposed and was well-known for not taking creosote (and the sale of creosote-treated wood is banned anyway). Hornbeam forms a good garden hedge and in a fastigiate form is often seen as a street-tree in, for example, Banbury and Northampton.

Hornbeams are frequently used as an amenity tree, especially in a

fastigiate form

In Northamptonshire the Hornbeam is right in the edge of its range as a native tree and according to the latest Northamptonshire flora (Ref. 1) only occasionally found. This contrasts with the observations of John Gerard (1545-1612) who wrote, in 1597: 'The Hornbeame tree groweth plentifully in Northamptonshire'. (Ref.2) The best place to see it in the county today would seem to be Yardley Chase.


Although some botanists have placed the Hornbeam genus in its own family, the Carpinaceae, most now regard it as a member of the Birch family, Betulaceae. Carpinus is the original Latin name for the Hornbeam but some etymologists believe it derives from the Celtic name for an ox-yoke - indicating perhaps another of its uses.


I hinted in the opening paragraph that large trees were found beyond Northamptonshire. In Epping Forest, to the north-east of London, are some magnificent hornbeam pollards, a number of which are more than 200 years old and conceivably over 300 years of age.

Fine pollarded specimens are to be found in Epping Forest

There are around 30-40 species occurring across the Northern Hemisphere, all apparently confined to temperate regions. Some of them are very picturesque and I would like to see a well-grown specimen of Carpinus japonica.

Carpinus japonica is sometimes known as the Chinese Lantern tree,

( despite its specific name!).

When covered with its catkins it must be an arresting sight yet, despite being perfectly hardy, it seems to be not often grown.

References

1. Gent, Gill and Wilson, Rob (2012) The Flora of Northamptonshire and the Soke of Peterborough  Robert Wilson Designs


2. Gerard, John (1547) The Generall Historie of Plantes (usually simply known as 'Gerard's Herbal.