Carpinus betulus 'Lucas' 12Ltr pot

Carpinus betulus 'Lucas' — 12L Pot

A slender, dense hornbeam bred for exactly the narrow spaces where trees like 'Frans Fontaine' are too broad — 'Lucas' keeps a remarkably tight, columnar habit even at maturity, making it a natural choice for lining avenues or bordering a modest garden. Bright green foliage through spring and summer turns a rich golden yellow in autumn, with the dried brown leaves typically held on through winter for extra screening before finally dropping in spring. Green catkins appear in late spring, followed later by clusters of winged fruit.

Undemanding once established, it grows readily in most soils, wet or dry, in full sun or partial shade. Expect an eventual height of 8–12m with a notably narrow spread of just 2.5–4m, reached over 10–20 years — a genuinely space-efficient choice for height without width.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch.