The Hornbeam Tree (Carpinus Betulus) is a resilient, semi-evergreen tree that makes an excellent, long-lasting hedge, offering a similar look to the Green Beech. This deciduous broadleaf tree is valued for its dense foliage, pale grey bark with unique vertical markings, and sometimes a ridged, twisted trunk that becomes even more striking with age.

The Hornbeam’s bright green leaves darken in summer and turn warm yellow and orange-brown in autumn. Even after they dry, the leaves often remain on the branches until late winter or early spring, ensuring that a well-maintained Hornbeam hedge provides privacy and security for most of the year. This hardy hedge also serves as an effective barrier against noise and wind, while its clusters of green catkins transform into winged fruit that attract birds and wildlife.

Historically, the tough, fine-grained wood of Hornbeam was used for mill cogwheels, cartwheel hubs, butchers’ blocks, and piano hammers due to its remarkable durability. Today, its resilience and charm make it a popular choice for gardens, offering beauty in every season—from leaden grey bark with dark streaks in winter to vibrant foliage in spring and summer.

The Hornbeam thrives in a variety of soil types, even tolerating clay, making it a versatile, low-maintenance option for hedging or as a standalone tree. Enhance your landscape with this attractive, functional hedge that brings seasonal interest, reliable privacy, and natural elegance year-round.

If you are unable to plant your bare root trees immediately upon receipt, they will be fine in a frost-free shed or garage for up to 1 week. If after a week you still cannot plant out then they can be heeled in (put them into a small hole in the ground and cover the roots with soil) until you can plant them out in their permanent positions.

Plant in full sun or partial shade.

Water well once planted and continue to water during spring through to summer at least once or twice a week for the first year.

Hornbeam hedging should only need to be pruned once a year in late summer to early Autumn. Hornbeam trees do not require pruning.

Within 24 hours of placing your order, we will contact you to confirm an exact delivery date. Most orders are delivered within 5 working days. Your plants will be freshly lifted and packaged the day before dispatch to ensure they arrive in the best possible condition.

If you have a preferred delivery date please use the comments box and we will try our best to accommodate this (not available at weekends).

Although items can remain in their packaging for 7–10 days if kept frost-free, we recommend planting bareroot trees as soon as possible after delivery.

We use a courier service, and a signature is required on delivery unless you specify a safe place in the comments box when placing your order.

Small Orders (UK Mainland Only)

Orders of 1–15 plants in size 40/60cm can often be sent via Royal Mail for £8.90.

Please note: Your basket will initially show a delivery charge of £15.75 + VAT, but if you request Royal Mail delivery in the comments box, we will adjust the payment for you once we receive the order.

England and Wales Standard Delivery Charges

Mainland Scotland Standard Delivery Charges

Click and Collect

Click and collect available free of charge from: Tree Shop Ltd., Harts Barn, Monmouth Road, Longhope, GL17 0QD, UK