'Fastigiata' Hornbeam
Carpinus betulus
'Fastigiata' Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 35–45 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Needs protected site.
medium water35–45 ft tall and 20–30 ft wideDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Grzegorz Grzejszczak, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Grzegorz Grzejszczak
- Photo 2: (c) Joss Carr, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 35–45 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide
- Mature form
- Oval / upright
- Spacing / clearance
- ~30 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: ExposureIt wants shelter; open, windy, reflected-heat sites batter it, so tuck it against a building or a windbreak.
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam get?
- It matures to about 35–45 ft tall and 20–30 ft wide.
- How much room does 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam need?
- Give 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam about 30 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam grow into?
- 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam typically grows into an upright-oval crown, taller than it is wide. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam hardy on the Front Range?
- 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam grow?
- 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam live?
- 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam deer-resistant?
- 'Fastigiata' Hornbeam is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
