The hornbeam is not a real beech. More precisely, it belongs to the birch family. Nevertheless, common beeches and hornbeams hardly differ in terms of care. How to care for a hornbeam in the garden.
How do you properly care for a hornbeam?
Caring for a hornbeam includes occasionally watering young trees, fertilizing in spring and summer, trimming the trees depending on their growth form and applying a layer of mulch in autumn. Pests and diseases should be treated as necessary.
Do hornbeams need to be watered?
Hornbeams don't like it when the ground gets too dry. If necessary, water younger trees in dry summers. Older trees take care of themselves through their long roots.
How to properly fertilize a hornbeam?
Only young hornbeams need fertilizer:
- first fertilizer application or long-term fertilizer in spring
- Second fertilizer application in summer
- Do not fertilize from August onwards.
How do you prune hornbeam correctly?
You don't have to cut hornbeams that grow as single trees in the garden as long as the tree doesn't get too big.
You can also cut the hornbeam into shape or grow it as a bonsai.
If you want to plant hornbeams as a hedge, you have to cut the trees up to six times in the first few years.
Can hornbeams be transplanted?
You can transplant young hornbeams if you get the long heart root out of the ground undamaged.
This no longer works with older trees. You should therefore leave old hornbeams where they are.
What diseases and pests occur in hornbeams?
Fungi primarily affect young hornbeams. Powdery mildew, downy mildew and leaf spot fungus are more common.
As a pest, the hornbeam spider mite can cause damage. Gall wasps, on the other hand, do not harm the hornbeam and therefore do not need to be controlled.
Diseased hornbeam shoots are cut off. The leaves need to be picked up. If diseases or pests are severe, sprays from specialist retailers can help.
Do hornbeams need winter protection?
Hornbeams are native plants that can cope well with low temperatures. The thermometer can drop to minus 20 degrees or usually even lower without the hornbeam freezing.
Winter protection is not necessary. However, it is recommended to apply a mulch of leaves, grass cuttings or other garden materials in autumn to prevent the soil from drying out.
Tip
Hornbeams are very tolerant of pruning. You can cut them into almost any shape you want. The trees are also popular as columnar hornbeams, which look very decorative in the entrance area or along a path.
