Espalier European Hornbeams
I now have two handsome espalier European hornbeams planted against the walls of my Carriage House and Stable Office here at the farm.
Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata,' the columnar European hornbeam, is a medium-sized, deciduous tree. ‘Fastigiata’ means a narrow form with upright branches. This type of tree can be grown as an espalier, meaning its branches can be trained to grow flat against a wall, supported on a lattice or a framework of stakes. Yesterday, my outdoor grounds crew planted two of three espalier hornbeams from Select Horticulture Inc. in nearby Pound Ridge.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- When I arrived home from a business trip and saw these handsome columnar hornbeams, I knew right away where I wanted two of them to go – on the east walls of two buildings down at my stable complex.
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- The leaves of the columnar hornbeam are green with sharply-toothed margins. They maintain their color and form throughout the growing season and then in the fall turn yellow, orange, and brown. These leaves have already started to change.
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- The first step is to remove the cobblestone pavers as carefully as possible, one by one.
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- The hornbeams will be planted up against the exterior walls. Hornbeams are fast growing and respond well to clipping, so they will develop quickly and beautifully.
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- Here is my outdoor grounds crew foreman, Chhiring Sherpa, digging the hole and removing the cobblestones. Chhiring has been working here at the farm for nearly 25-years and remembers when these pavers were originally laid.
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- Underneath the pavers, Chhiring also removes other stones, stone dust, and gravel. The hole must be at least twice the size as the root ball. The sides are also sightly slanted.
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- Our trusted Hi-Lo is used to transport one of the hornbeams to its new location. These columnar hornbeam grow to about 30 to 40 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide.
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- Chhiring begins to remove all the wire and burlap wrapping from the hornbeam’s root ball.
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- Wire baskets were designed to support the root ball during loading, shipping, and transplanting. Some cut the cages and leave them in the ground, but I prefer to remove them completely, so there is nothing blocking the growing roots.
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- Slowly, the tree is moved into the hole. The crew rotates the tree into place and checks that it is straight. When moving heavy trees, only hold it by the base of the trunk or the root ball – never by its branches, which could easily break.
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- Using a steel digging bar, Chhiring guides the root ball into the hole as the others carefully roll it.
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- Phurba stands by to make any small adjustments. The tree must be perfectly centered on the wall.
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- Here it is in position. The sides are measured to ensure it is perfectly aligned between the windows.
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- It is very important to feed the plants and trees. A generous amount of fertilizer is sprinkled around the tree and the surrounding soil. We use Scotts Evergreen, Flowering Tree & Shrub Continuous Release Plant Food.
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- Once it is in the hole, Chhiring checks it several more times and makes tiny adjustments before returning some of the surrounding cobblestones and fresh compost made right here at the farm.
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- Remember, don’t plant it too deeply – leave it “bare to the flare.” I am so glad I can make nutrient rich compost here at the farm.
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- Chhiring tamps down thoroughly to remove any air pockets and to settle the soil.
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- Finally, Chhiring gives the tree a good drink of water.
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- An identical hornbeam is planted against the exterior wall of my Stable Office.
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- Both trees should thrive here in full sun, where they will get at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
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- By late afternoon, both espalier hornbeams are planted, fed, and watered. There is a third espalier hornbeam… where do you think I should plant it?
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