Oriental Hornbeam Carpinus orientalis
Previously known as:
- Carpinus nigra
- Phonetic Spelling
- kar-PINE-or-ee-en-TAY-liss
- Description
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Oriental Hornbeam is a small to medium-sized, slow-growing, deciduous tree or shrub. The tree is densely branched and has ornamental catkins in the spring. As a tree, it can measure from 20-25 feet tall. As a shrub, it measures 12-15 feet tall. The leaves are smaller, and the bracts are unlobed on the fruit clusters on this species, which distinguishes the Oriental Hornbeam from the European Hornbeam and American Hornbeam. Oriental Hornbeam is a member of the Betulaceae or Birch Family.
The tree or shrub is native to southeastern Europe and western Asia. It was first introduced in 1735. The wood from this tree is hard and was used in the past to make handles for tools and small household items. It is now used as firewood and for charcoal.
The genus name, Carpinus, is Latin for "hornbeam." The species name, orientalis, means "from the Orient." The common name, Hornbeam, is derived from "horn," meaning hard, and "beam", meaning tree in Old English.
Oriental Hornbeam prefers part shade to full shade. It will tolerate full sun. It is tolerant of organic-rich and rocky soils. The tree is low maintenance and drought and pollution tolerant once established. It may regenerate from root suckers and is highly resistant to wildfires.
The leaves are glossy, dark green, and small. They are oval to elliptic in shape and have doubly serrated margins. The male and female catkins appear in the spring. The female catkin produces a nutlet with unlobed bracts on the fruit clusters.
Oriental Hornbeam may be used as an attractive ornamental or understory tree for shaded woodlands. It may also be considered for use as a hedge or shrub. Unfortunately, it is not available commercially in the United States.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
This tree has no serious insect or disease problems. Gypsy moth and processionary moth may be seen. Leaf spots, canker, and twig blight may occur.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carpinus
- Species:
- orientalis
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In the past, the wood from the tree was used for making tool handles and small items for the home. It has also been used for firewood and making charcoal.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western Asia and Southeastern Europe
- Distribution:
- Native: Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungry, Iran, Italy, Krym, North Caucasus, Romania, Sicily, Transcaucasus, Turkey, and Yugoslavia
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The female catkin produces a nutlet with unlobed bracts on the fruit cluster. The nutlet measures 1/16 inches long.
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are male and female catkins appear in the spring. The male catkin is 1/2 inch to 3/4 inches long. The female catkin is 1 3/16 inches to 2 3/8 inches long. The female catkin has a coarsely toothed ovate bract. The bract measures 5/8 to 7/8 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Insignificant
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are smaller than other species and measure 1 to 2 inches long and 0.5 to 1 inch wide. They are glossy green, oval to elliptic in shape with a rounded base, and have double serrated margins. The leaves have 12-15 pairs of veins, and silky down is found on the upper and undersides of the leaf on the midribs. The fall leaf color is insignificant and ranges from a shade of yellow or red.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Street Tree
- Understory Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Pollution
