Carpinus caroliniana 'Red Fall'
American hornbeam 'Red Fall'
A medium-sized, deciduous tree, with blue-grey bark that is smooth when young, but becomes fissured when older. The tree forms a wide conical crown and can reach 12m (40ft) in height when mature. The foliage emerges reddish, becoming green in summer as it matures, before becoming a fiery orange red in autumn. The green, male and female catkins are produced separately on the same tree in April. The female flowers after fertilisation, develop into hop-like clusters in late summer to autumn, containing winged seeds which disperse on the wind when ripe
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Red Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Betulaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in most soils, as long as they are reasonably moist and well drained
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring and early summer or grafting
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
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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