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Acer carpinifolium

hornbeam maple

This bushy, spreading tree with upright branches has distinctive drooping, oval leaves, with prominent veins, toothed edges and tapering at the tip resembling those of the common hornbean. The leaves are neater and opposite and turn gold and brown in the autumn.

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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Green
Summer Green
Autumn Gold Brown
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Sapindaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Acer can be deciduous trees or large shrubs with paired, often palmately-lobed leaves and small flowers followed by characteristic winged fruits. Many have fine autumn colour, and some have ornamental stems

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in mid to late autumn or spring. Take softwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Pruning group 1 but prune only from late autumn to midwinter. Can be hard pruned for a neater shade or for larger foliage

Pests

May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus

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