Planting Carpinus betulus 'Frans Fontaine'
I have many hornbeam hedges around my farm. They're hardy and provide changing texture and color during the year - green foliage in summer, golden yellow leaves in fall, and natural gray bare branches in winter.
Last week, I decided to plant 22 hornbeams, Carpinus betulus 'Frans Fontaine,' in my orchard, just outside the north end of my pool - two rows, 11 on each side, creating an allée all the way to the carriage road fence. All the hornbeams are from Select Horticulture, Inc. in Pound Ridge, New York. My gardeners and outdoor grounds crew worked quickly - the area was measured, the holes were dug, and then the trees were transported, positioned, fed, and planted.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
-
- The handsome European hornbeam, Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine,’ is slow-growing and has an upright oval form and lush green foliage that provides multi-season interest.
-
- I decided to plant them outside the fence surrounding my pool at this end.
-
- Planting any row of specimens always starts with a carefully measured line. Landscape flags indicate where each specimen will go.
-
- Chhiring uses the trusted Kubota and its forklift to transport each tree to its designated location.
-
- All the trees are positioned first before any planting begins.
-
- Alex continues the hole digging started by the backhoe.
-
- Remember the rule of thumb for planting – dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the root ball, but only as deep as the height of the root ball.
-
- The protective wrapping and any wire or rope are removed from the root ball. If left untouched, these wrapping materials could reduce the ability of a tree’s roots to grow out into the surrounding soil. Some gardeners leave them in the ground, but I prefer to remove everything, so there is nothing blocking the root growth.
-
- Alex cuts the strong wire cage, so it can also be removed.
-
- Here is Phurba removing the protective burlap.
-
- Next, fertilizer is sprinkled into the hole and the surrounding soil.
-
- Our go-to fertilizer is Miracle-Gro Organic All Purpose Plant Food specially formulated to help grow stronger, vibrant, and more productive plants.
-
- Each tree is carefully rolled into its hole by its center stem, trunk, or base – never handle by its branches, which could break.
-
- The tree sits in the hole at the right depth, which is “bare to the flare,” or where the first main roots attach to the trunk. Tree roots need oxygen to grow. By placing the root flare at or slightly above ground level when planting gives the tree the best chance for survival, growth, and development.
-
- Pasang and Alex step back and look at the tree from afar to assess its position – they agree it needs a little adjusting.
-
- The two turn the tree slightly to make it level and perfectly straight.
-
- The European hornbeam, Carpinus betulus is native to Western Asia and central, eastern, and southern Europe, including southern England. Because of its dense foliage and tolerance to being cut back, this hornbeam is popularly used for hedges and topiaries. Hornbeams are often confused with the common beech because of their similar leaves; however, the hornbeam leaves are actually smaller and more deeply furrowed than beech leaves. The leaves are deciduous and alternate, with serrated margins. These are the leaves in summer…
-
- … and these are the leaves now, golden yellow in autumn. All the leaves will soon fall completely off the trees for winter.
-
- Once the specimen is positioned correctly, it is backfilled.
-
- Alex uses a hard rake to give the area a finished look.
-
- Here, one row is complete and looks great. These trees are sure to develop so beautifully here in my orchard – the soil is so rich with nutrients.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
