Carpinus fangiana

RHS Plant Profile

monkeytail hornbeam

Other common names

Fang's hornbeam

Synonyms

Carpinus wilsoniana

Trees

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A large, broadly conicaltree with smooth grey bark. The narrowly oval, double-toothed leaves have prominent veins and are up to 27cm long. They emerge purple-bronze in spring, becoming olive-green. Pale green, papery catkins up to 30cm long appear in spring, gradually fading to tawny brown

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: more than 50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Betulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Carpinus are deciduous shrubs and trees with attractive foliage and hop-like fruit clusters in late summer and autumn
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by softwood cuttings or by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, coral spot and sometimes honey fungus