The hornbeam is not a real beech. More precisely, it belongs to the birch family. Nevertheless, beech trees and hornbeams hardly differ when it comes to care. How to care for a hornbeam in the garden.

Hornbeams require little care; However, hedges require regular pruning

Do hornbeams need to be watered?

Hornbeams don't like it when the soil gets too dry. If necessary, water younger trees in dry summers. Older trees are self-sufficient through their long roots.

How is a hornbeam properly fertilized?

Only young hornbeams need fertilizer:

  • first application of fertilizer or long-term fertilizer in spring
  • second fertilizer application in summer
  • do not fertilize after August.

How do you properly prune hornbeams?

Hornbeams that grow as a single tree in the garden do not have to be pruned at all, as long as the tree is not too big for you.

You can also cut the hornbeam into shape or grow it as a bonsai.

If you want to plant hornbeams as a hedge, you have to cut the trees up to six times in the first few years.

Can hornbeams be transplanted?

You can transplant young hornbeams if you can get the long central root out of the ground undamaged.

This no longer works with older trees. You should therefore leave old hornbeams where they are.

Which diseases and pests occur in hornbeams?

Fungi primarily cause problems in young hornbeams. Powdery and downy mildew and leaf spot fungus are more common.

As a pest, the hornbeam spider mite can cause damage. Gall wasps, on the other hand, do not damage the hornbeam and therefore do not have to be fought.

Diseased shoots of the hornbeam are cut off. The leaves must be collected. In the case of severe diseases or pests, sprays from specialist shops can help.

Do hornbeams need winter protection?

Hornbeams are native plants that can also cope well with low temperatures. The thermometer can fall to minus 20 degrees or even lower without the hornbeam freezing to death.

Winter protection is not necessary. However, it is advisable to apply a mulch layer of leaves, lawn clippings or other garden materials in the fall to prevent the soil from drying out.

tips

Hornbeams are very tolerant of pruning. You can cut them into almost any shape you want. The trees are also popular as columnar hornbeams, which have a very decorative effect in the entrance area or along a path.

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