Carpinus Betulus (Hornbeam) 'Frans Fontaine'

This Hornbeam cultivar was selected from a street in the Netherlands in the early 1980s.

A far better proposition for planting in restricted areas than Carpinus betulus Fastigata, it retains its columnar habit, being only 3m wide after 25 years.

It tolerates pollution and soil compaction, so makes an excellent street tree.

It grows well on most soils, including clay and chalk.

A most useful tree for poor planting conditions.

Frans Fontaine is very similar to C. betulus Fastigiata when small and we often get called to describe the differences.

The former sometimes has a rough fissured bark at the base of the main stem and its leaves are more crinkly than the latter.

Whenever selecting either clone, look out for the dominant main stem in the plant as if this is not well defined they are difficult to maintain later on.

Mature height: 15-20m