Species hop hornbeam
elliptic-shaped, shiny, dark-green leaves with serrated margins, gray-woody stems, and small, creamy flowers clustered together in dense spikes

hop hornbeam

Ostrya carpinifolia

Hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia) is a medium-sized deciduous tree with an attractive, upright, conical shape. It typically grows to 25-40 feet in height with an equal spread. The bark is smooth with noticeable horizontal lenticels and fluting on older specimens. Its leaves are compound and consisting of several to many leaflets. The foliage turns yellow-green in the fall. It produces yellowish brown, hop-like fruits in late summer that can be used for crafting jewelry. Hop hornbeams are low-maintenance and do well in partial shade to full sun and a variety of soil types. They are drought tolerant and are an excellent choice for urban settings as well as parks and natural areas.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Division

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Yellowish-green Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,brown

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Low

watering

Hop hornbeam should be watered regularly, but not excessively. In the growing season, watering should occur approximately once a week, providing enough water so that the soil is moist but not soggy. Care should be taken to avoid over-watering, as this can lead to problems such as root rot. In the winter months, watering can be reduced to about once every other week. Before watering, it is important to feel the soil to see if it is dry, as some weeks more water may be needed. Between waterings, the soil should be allowed to dry out slightly in order to avoid root rot. Avoid getting too much water on the foliage as this can lead to fungal diseases.

sunlight

For hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia) plants, it is best to provide full sunlight to ensure optimal health. During the summer months, these plants should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day, so it is best to place them in a sunny area. In the winter when the light is less intense, 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight should be provided. For plants in cooler regions, it may be best to provide more hours of direct sunlight. Shading in the afternoon in the warmer climates is recommended as the intense sunlight during this time can be damaging.

pruning

Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia) is a deciduous tree with a very dense and upright habit, often making it a great addition to any landscape. Pruning is recommended for this species for the purpose of changing its shape, increasing branching and improving its overall appearance. When to prune Hop Hornbeam depends on the purpose of the pruning. If pruning is done to improve its shape or to remove dead wood, it is best done in late winter or early spring, before the new growth begins. For pruning to reduce size or fence-line pruning, this should be done in early summer. How much to prune depends on the size of the tree. For larger trees, up to 1-third of the tree's canopy can be removed; however, no more than 1-half of the crown should be pruned at any given time. For pruning to improve form and shape the crown, up to 1-half of the length of individual branches should be removed. It is important to take into consideration the health of the tree and the desired outcome when pruning Hop Hornbeam. Pruning improperly can damage the tree and reduce its vigour. Following the above recommendations can help ensure that the desired outcome is reached without compromising the tree's health.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Hop hornbeam typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map