A round ball, a narrow column or even a whole menagerie in the garden - with the right topiary you can give the hornbeam tree into almost any shape you want. Hornbeams are very tolerant of pruning and their growth is not affected by topiary.
How do I make a topiary cut on a hornbeam?
A hornbeam topiary can have different shapes such as straight lines, balls or columns and should be used especially in February, from the 24th. June or ongoing for smaller cuts. Use sturdy stencils to achieve the desired shape and be careful of nesting birds.
Topiary cutting on hornbeams has a long tradition
Shaped trees have a long tradition. Centuries ago it was customary to decorate large palace complexes or noble gardens with sculptures made of trees and bushes. Today, cut hornbeams are very popular in many gardens.
Playful or straight – taste decides
There are countless options available to you as a topiary for a hornbeam. If you prefer simple versions, cut the hornbeam straight, into cubes or into a columnar hornbeam. Spherical treetops also have a very decorative effect.
If you like it playful, try replicating an animal. Or provide your hedge with an arch that you can walk through. You can even cut the hornbeam as a bonsai.
Insert stencils
If you want to make a topiary cut on the hornbeam, think about what the tree should look like later. Make a drawing.
You can get ready-made templates from specialist retailers for round hornbeam cuts or for columns. If you prefer something unusual, make a template out of wire mesh and cardboard.
The template should be as stable as possible so that you can use it for many years for topiary cutting on the hornbeam.
The best times for topiary
- February before budding
- from June 24th
- smaller topiaries ongoing
- no more cutting from September
When you make your first shape cut in spring, you should thin out the hornbeam straight away so that it branches better.
Until August, keep trimming the hornbeam into shape by shortening protruding shoots.
The hornbeam has a second shoot in May and June. That's why a second topiary is necessary from June 24th, St. John's Day, so that the shape of the hornbeam is preserved.
Tip
From March to September it is not permitted to radically cut down hornbeam hedges or hornbeams as individual trees. However, you can carry out a topiary cut at any time. Just be careful not to disturb any birds nesting in the tree.