Planting European Hornbeams in My Maze

October 28, 2024

If you're thinking about planting a hedge this season, consider European hornbeams, Carpinus betulus. I have many hornbeams hedges around my farm. They're fast-growing, hardy, and provide changing texture and color during the year - green foliage in summer, golden yellow leaves in fall, and natural gray bare branches in winter.

Last week, I decided to plant a hornbeam hedge within my living maze. All 43 hornbeams used were nurtured first in pots from bare root cuttings. My gardeners and outdoor grounds crew worked quickly to take advantage of the warm weather - the area was measured and cleared, the holes were dug, and then the trees were positioned, fed, planted, and watered.

Here are photos, enjoy.

: The European hornbeam, Carpinus betulus is native to Western Asia and central, eastern, and southern Europe, including southern England. Because of its dense foliage and tolerance to being cut back, this hornbeam is popularly used for hedges and topiaries. Hornbeams are often confused with the common beech because of their similar leaves; however, the hornbeam leaves are actually smaller and more deeply furrowed than beech leaves. The leaves are deciduous and alternate, with serrated margins. These are the leaves in summer…

: … and these are the leaves now, golden yellow. All the leaves will soon fall completely off the trees for winter.

: I planned two rows perpendicular to each other in this section of the maze. All the trees are positioned first before any planting begins.

: After cutting, Pete removes the sod from the measured space. It has been a very dry season here in the Northeast, with little rain expected in the coming weeks. The sod is very crumbly as it is rolled and moved.

: This is what the cleared area looks like once all the sod is pulled up. The exposed soil will also be tilled.

: For this project, the holes are dug manually – 43 of them.

: Remember the rule of thumb for planting – dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the root ball, but only as deep as the height of the root ball.

: Next, José sprinkles fertilizer into the hole and the surrounding soil.

: I use Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed, an all-purpose food that is specially formulated to help grow stronger, vibrant, and more productive plants. It contains vital micronutrients, plus added natural ingredients, to nourish above and below the soil.

: Each tree is placed into a designated hole.

: To be most efficient, the crew works in an assembly line process – digging all the holes first and positioning the trees before backfilling.

: These trees have been well cared-for and maintained. I prefer to keep them in pots a couple years to give them a gentle start. Look at the healthy root ball.

: Each tree is carefully lifted by its center stem or trunk close to the base – never handle by its branches, which could break.

: José makes the necessary root ball cuts to stimulate and encourage root growth and then places the tree into the hole.

: Alex measures the hornbeams once again to be sure they are equally spaced. Each tree is spaced about 30-inches from the next.

: Once the specimen is positioned correctly, it is backfilled. Do not bury the tree above its flare, where the first main roots attach to the trunk. Tree roots need oxygen to grow. By placing the root flare at or slightly above ground level when planting gives the tree the best chance for survival, growth, and development.

: Alex follows with a hard rake to level the soil and remove any debris.

: Finally, the newly planted rows are watered thoroughly.

: European hornbeams, grow about four to five feet per year. This hedge will mature quickly. I’m looking forward to seeing it one year from now.

: They will eventually grow into a nice thick and tall hedge, making a wall in the maze. If the current weather holds, we will still get a lot more planting done before the ground is too hard.