- What size is a fully grown hornbeam?
- One of the largest hornbeams is in the Odenwald
- Restrict hornbeams in size by pruning
Hornbeams are among the fast-growing deciduous trees, but they don't grow quite as large and spreading as other trees. As a solitary tree in the garden, you only need to allow for a small amount of space if you want a hornbeam to grow to full size.
A hornbeam can grow up to 25 meters tall here
What size is a fully grown hornbeam?
- 4 meters after 10 years
- 10 meters after 20 years
- 20 to 25 meters final size
Of course, these are only guidelines. Actual altitude also depends on location and weather. The final size in Europe is around 25 meters. In other regions, such as the Caucasus, there are even hornbeams that are 35 meters high.
If the hornbeam is allowed to grow uncut, it develops a very expansive tree crown. Their shape is slightly oval, which is a good way of recognizing them in the great outdoors.
A mature hornbeam has a trunk diameter of about one meter.
One of the largest hornbeams is in the Odenwald
One of the oldest and largest hornbeams is in Breitenbuch in the Odenwald. The place owes its name to this tree, which is unusual in height and width.
The age of the hornbeam is estimated at 300 years. The circumference of the trunk at a height of one meter is 4.5 meters. The crown diameter is estimated at 20 meters.
For comparison: the average age of a hornbeam is 150 years. The hornbeams that form the arcade in Pulsnitz, Saxony, are estimated to be that old.
Restrict hornbeams in size by pruning
If you want to grow a hornbeam as a single tree in the garden, you should consider the space required. In small gardens, you can keep the hornbeam not only in shape, but also smaller by cutting it back.
Hornbeams are very tolerant of pruning and can easily be shortened or even cut into figures using a shape cut.
Above all, the expansive treetop becomes a problem in the small garden. But you don't have to do without a hornbeam. Just cut them in column shape and trim them to the height that fits well in your garden.
tips
Hornbeams tolerate shade and often grow under taller trees. In many specimens, the trunk is crooked and looks slightly crooked. The crooked trunk is caused by lack of light.