- What height does a columnar hornbeam reach?
- Columnar hornbeams do not need to be pruned
- Pillar hornbeams change colour
While an adult hornbeam reaches a height of 20 or occasionally 25 meters, columnar hornbeams remain somewhat smaller. Since they don't get that sprawling either, they're great for smaller gardens.
Columnar hornbeams grow up to 15 meters high
What height does a columnar hornbeam reach?
Column hornbeams do not grow as tall as normal hornbeams. Their girth is also narrower than the other varieties:
- Growth height: 10 to 15 meters
- Growth width: 4 to 6 meters
- Growth per year: 10 to 40 centimeters
It takes many years for the columnar hornbeam to reach a height of 10 to 15 meters. The hornbeam is only considered fully grown when it is 20 to 30 years old.
It also only bears the first flowers at the age of 20 or 30. Fruits do not develop until about 40 years.
Columnar hornbeams do not need to be pruned
Because columnar hornbeams remain much slimmer and naturally have a slightly tapered shape, they do not need to be pruned. In its natural form, the columnar hornbeam is particularly suitable for larger gardens.
If you only have little space in the garden, if you cultivate the columnar hornbeam as an avenue tree or if you want to limit its height, you can easily cut it back. The best time for this is early spring, with February being the best.
If necessary, you can also cut the columnar hornbeam back to the stump, i.e. down to the ground, without damaging it. It will reliably sprout again, but then needs a lot of water and additional nutrients.
Pillar hornbeams change colour
Pillar hornbeams look a little different in every season. In spring the leaves sprout with a delicate green colour.
In summer, the hornbeam appears in a strong medium green. The autumn leaves are turning bright yellow.
Like all hornbeams, the columnar hornbeam is not evergreen. The leaves dry up in autumn, but often stay on the tree until spring, so the hornbeam looks brown in winter.
tips
Hornbeams as native plants are very valuable trees from an ecological point of view. They provide food for many insects and are readily accepted by birds as breeding grounds. Even those who don't have much space in the garden can make a contribution to nature conservation with a columnar hornbeam or a standard tree.