IN the middle of ancient woodlands, in the company of venerable oaks, the hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) can live for up to 300 years if left undisturbed, growing into an elegantly shaped tree. When pollarded, hornbeams can live even longer, taking on increasingly wild and anarchic shapes.
The tree’s dense musculature is menacing and, as it ages, its pale-grey trunk becomes fluted.
The hornbeam is a member of the Betulaceae family and was one of the last trees to arrive in Britain before rising sea levels cut us off from mainland Europe after the last Ice Age. Planted specimens may be seen all over the country, but their native range is the South and East of England in heavy clay soils. The name is derived from the strength of its timber: ‘horn’ meaning hard and ‘beam’ a tree in old English.
Confusion over the tree’s identity probably stems from its similarity to the beech tree, which often accompanies it, but, when examined closely, there are key differences. Where beech leaves are glossy with wavy edges, hornbeam leaves are matte green with deeply etched, almost pleated veins and a distinct toothed edge. The hornbeam is also a much smaller tree, up to 98ft, with a more symmetrical appearance and a distinctive conical crown, like a playing card spade.
Denne historien er fra November 22, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
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Denne historien er fra November 22, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Kitchen garden cook - Apples
'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'
The original Mr Rochester
Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre
Get it write
Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution
'Sloes hath ben my food'
A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright
Souvenirs of greatness
FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.
Plants for plants' sake
The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson
Capturing the castle
Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker
Nature's own cathedral
Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods
All that money could buy
A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages
In with the old
Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery
