Carpinus turczaninowii (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well drained
Flowering period: Summer
Eventual Height: 15m
Eventual Spread: 10m
Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Betulaceae
Carpinus turczaninowii is a deciduous tree with a columnar to rounded habit. Its mid-green leaves are ovate with serrulate margins. The foliage becomes a deep red color in the autumn before they fall. Its grey/ brown bark is shallowly fissured. The tree is monoecious, with the inflorescence in the form of catkins, which are yellow fringed with red. In the female these will be followed by racemes of green fruit with prominent bracts which will mature to a mid brown.
Carpinus turczaninowii Leaf (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Carpinus turczaninowii, commonly known as Korean Hornbeam, Rock Hornbeam or Turczaninow Hornbeam, is native to eastern Asia including China, Japan and Korea. In its native habitat it grows in mixed forests and on mountain slopes.
The etymological root of the binomial name Carpinus was the ancient Latin name for Carpinus betulus. Turczaninowii is after Nikolai Turczaninow (1796 – 1863), a Russian botanist.
The landscape architect may find Carpinus turczaninowii useful as a compact upright specimen tree which has interesting leaf color in autumnt.
Carpinus turczaninowii Bark (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Carpinus turczaninowii will attract some species of Lepidoptera, whose larvae will feed on its leaves.
Carpinus turczaninowii prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Carpinus turczaninowii requires little maintenance.
Landscape Architecture
