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Carpinus fargesiana

An elegant, medium to large, deciduous tree with grey bark on the trunk and dark-brown to grey bark on the branches, which weep at their tips. Rare in cultivation, the tree can reach 20m (66ft) high when mature. It bears attractive, bronze-purple and green new leaves in spring, maturing to green in summer and turning a rich orange-red in autumn. The green, male and female catkins are produced separately on the same tree in April. After fertilisation, the female flowers develop into hop-like clusters in late summer to autumn, containing winged seeds that disperse on the wind when ripe

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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 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
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Green Purple Bronze
Summer Green
Autumn Orange Red
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Betulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Spreading branched
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

Easy to grow in most soils, as long as they are reasonably moist and well drained

Propagation

Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings in spring and early summer, or grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
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

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