Grooming My Weeping Hornbeams
Here at my Bedford, New York farm today, we're cleaning up after the torrential weekend rains. We got quite a bit of damage - fallen trees due to lighting and oversaturated soil, excessive runoff that washed away gravel from the carriage roads, and flooded garden beds causing many of the vegetables to rot. It's a lot of work on top of an already long list of outdoor chores.
Last week, despite the hot and humid summer weather, my outdoor grounds crew worked hard pruning, grooming, and planting. Pasang Sherpa, who is our resident tree expert here dedicated a few days to the six beautiful weeping hornbeams that line one side of what I call my "soccer field" - a large, flat area where my grandson, Truman, loves to play. Botanically known as Carpinus betulus 'pendula', the weeping hornbeam is deciduous and has a tight, dense growth pattern. I keep a close eye on all my hornbeams - it’s crucial that they be pruned regularly, so they never look too overgrown and unruly.
Here are some photos, enjoy. And check out my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48 to see some of the damage caused by this recent storm.
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- In the area between my orchard and my clematis pergola are six matched standard weeping hornbeams, Carpinus betulus ‘pendula’ – a dense tree with a strong center, a shapely form, and gracefully arching branches.
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- The leaves are a fresh green color in the spring and summer. Each leaf has a sharply double serrated edge and a top that tapers to a point.
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- These are the seed catkins hanging from the branches, holding about 10 to 30 seeds each.
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- This is a photo taken in October. The weeping hornbeam turns a golden yellow in autumn. One can see the changing color here.
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- Because it is deciduous, these hornbeams also lose all their foliage in winter. This is a photo taken of the hornbeams in February.
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- But now, these rare, slow growing and exceptionally beautiful weeping hornbeams are full of gorgeous foliage and are due for a trim.
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- The long arching branches are healthy, but are now touching and sweeping the ground.
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- Pasang is an excellent pruner and oversees a lot of the smaller tree pruning projects around the farm. As with any pruning project, Pasang cuts off any dead, damaged, or diseased branches first.
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- I prefer all the hornbeams be pruned by hand using pruners, secateurs or Japanese shears – it is a slower process, but provides a more detailed and prettier finish. This is our The STIHL PL 40 lopper with long handles that allow for better leverage and reach. This tool has a cutting capacity of two-inches, which is very helpful for these hornbeams.
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- These ‘pendula’ hornbeams are actually grafted onto a lower trunk of Carpinus betulus. The branches start off by growing straight downwards and later grow more in the width, which forms the half-rounded parasol shape.
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- Here’s a look at the long branches from underneath the hornbeam.
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- The trunk is dark grey and very sturdy with a relatively smooth bark.
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- Hornbeams are very dependable cultivars and don’t need much pruning except when necessary for shaping or for removing dieback. Here Pasang removes any crowded or crisscrossing branches from inside.
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- Pasang also uses his hand pruners to remove smaller branches less than an inch in diameter.
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- The goal is to trim up the hornbeam, so the branches do not drag. This will also allow more air circulation within the tree and give it a nicely groomed appearance.
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- Pasang makes his cuts sloping down and away at a 45 to 60 degree angle. And always use sharp tools, so the cuts are clean.
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- Here are the first two trees well-pruned. One can now see underneath them.
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- Here’s a view from ground. There’s a good two feet cleared under each one.
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- All the clippings are gathered and carried away to the compost yard.
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- And here they are – all six done. Under ideal conditions, weeping hornbeams can live up to 120-years or more. I am so pleased these trees are thriving here at my farm – they are among my favorite and most precious of trees.
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