- Hornbeams are deciduous trees
- Leaves only fall in spring
- That is why hornbeams are very suitable as hedge plants
- Don't sweep away the leaves, leave them where they are
Many gardeners believe that the hornbeam is an evergreen tree. However, this is a mistake. It arose because the leaves of the hornbeam often hang on the tree until spring. That is why hornbeams, like beeches, offer very good privacy protection all year round.
Hornbeams lose their leaves in winter
Hornbeams are deciduous trees
The hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), like the common beech (Fagus silvatica), is a special case among the deciduous trees. It looks like an evergreen tree because the foliage often stays on until spring. Only with the new shoots in spring do the remaining leaves fall off.
Leaves only fall in spring
The sprouting of the hornbeam begins in March, when the first leaf buds appear on the shoots. Up to this point, many of the old leaves are still hanging on the tree.
As soon as the leaf buds begin to open, the previous year's foliage falls off as well.
That is why hornbeams are very suitable as hedge plants
Because of their special nature, hornbeams and beech trees are very well suited and popular as hedge plants.
Hedges made of copper beech or hornbeam also provide a very good privacy screen in winter, because the leaves, which have meanwhile turned brown, are still hanging on the tree.
They are then dried up and no longer nice and green, but that is sufficient for privacy protection. In addition, small garden beneficial insects overwinter in it.
Don't sweep away the leaves, leave them where they are
If the hornbeam loses its leaves in winter and spring, you should not sweep them away, but leave them under the tree or hedge.
The leaves form a mulch layer that has many benefits:
- Cover protects against dehydration
- prevents weeds from emerging
- Foliage rots and releases new nutrients.
However, you may only leave leaves under the hornbeam that are completely healthy. You must dispose of leaves affected by powdery mildew or pests, because fungal spores and pests overwinter in them. By removing it, you prevent diseases from spreading further.
tips
The color of the hornbeam changes steadily over the course of the year. Soft green leaves appear in spring, which become a strong medium green in summer. The autumn leaves are bright yellow and turn brown and dry up on the hornbeam in winter.