354 SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON TIMBER TREES 



HORNBEAM. 

 Carpinus Betulus = Common Hornbeam. 



It is native to England, and possibly to parts of Scotland. 



As to Seed. It produces seed freely when about 40 years 

 of age ; and seed years are very frequent. 



The germinative capacity of the seed is about 65 to 70 

 per cent, and I Ib. of seed contains about 14,000 seeds. The 

 seed does not germinate until the second spring, and must 

 be kept in sand, as is done in the case of Ash seed. 



The timber is very hard, heavy, and tough, but not very 

 durable when exposed to inimical influences. It is very liable 

 to be cross-grained. 



Soil and Situation. Hornbeam is found naturally on 

 rather stiff clay lands, but it will grow on almost all soils, 

 provided they be deep. It is distinctly hardy as regards 

 spring and autumn frosts, and will, therefore, often succeed 

 where Beech must fail. 



It will grow on much heavier clay soils than Beech could 

 possibly succeed upon. 



Cultivation, etc. Hornbeam is densely foliaged, and will 

 bear a great amount of shade, but not so much as Beech. 

 Like the Beech, it is a great soil improver. It grows quicker 

 than Beech when young, but later on it is surpassed by Beech. 

 It never grows into very tall trees, like Beech; but has a 

 strong tendency to form a branched crown. 



The Hornbeam may be grown and cultivated in a similar 

 manner to the Beech ; but its smaller out-turn usually 

 renders the latter preferable wherever it can be grown. 



However, in cases where underplanting has been decided 

 upon, and only a short rotation is desired for the undercrop, 

 it will often be preferable to underplant with Hornbeam 

 instead of Beech ; as the former more quickly grow into 

 saleable timber. 



Hornbeam makes excellent coppice, and the stools last 

 for centuries. It is quite probable that, in view of the low 

 price of coppice produce, the Hornbeam will prove one of 



