IDENTIFICATION

Scientific name:

Carpinus betulus L.

Italian common name:

Carpino bianco, Carpino comune

Family:

Betulaceae

Provenance:

Central Europe and the Caucasian regions.

Environment:

It constitutes the lower level in the oak-hornbeam forests of the plain, avanalpic plain and medium hill region. mesophilic woods (The term mesophilic refers to a genus of organisms whose optimal growth temperature is around 25-45 °C. Usually the term identifies a certain type of microorganisms that represent the most widespread ones) with beech and oak trees. It survives between -15 and 40 °C

Evergreen or deciduous:

deciduous

Toxicity:

Is not toxic to dogs, cats or children. However, we recommend not ingesting any part of ornamental plants. Very allergenic entity.

PLANT RECOGNITION

Height:

15 – 20 m

Width (extension):

10 m

Deportment:

shrubby or medium tree

Leaf:

deciduous, alternate, simple and ovate-oblong in shape, with a pointed apex and a base that rounds until it turns inward; the margin is doubly serrated, the vein is very well marked. It has a short petiole (1-2 cm). The upper surface is smooth and dark green in colour, the lower surface is lighter and has fine hairs especially in correspondence with the veins.

Flower:

monoecious plant with unisexual flowers, not very showy, grouped in inflorescences. The male flowers are grouped in pendulous catkins, 1 to 4 cm long, yellowish in colour; the female inflorescences are smaller catkins, greenish in colour, located at the apex of the twigs

Flowering:

April – May

Fruit:

greenish achenes, 5 mm in diameter, with longitudinal ribs, gathered, like the flowers, in pendulous groups of 10-15 cm. Each fruit has a leafy bract, trilobed with a longer median lobe.

Trunk:

straight with an irregular section and grooves, the ash grey bark with whitish spots always remains smooth, similar to that of the Beech.

Properties:

Expectorant / Emollient of the respiratory tract. The Carpino Gemmoderivative has a beneficial effect on the upper respiratory tract and in particular on the sinus mucosa. Useful as a natural remedy in case of: sinusitis and productive cough

Parfume:

light

NEEDS

Manutenzione:

low

Exposure to light:

Shade-loving species that adapts to partial shade conditions and, more refractoryly, to shade which can slow growth and limit flowering and seed production.

Soil type:

Although it is a very rustic plant, it requires soil with mull-type humus (calcic mull forms in calcareous soils, subject to seasonal variations in humidity and with vegetation mainly represented by herbaceous essences) and with carbonate substrates (arenaceous-marly). It therefore prefers clayey and calcareous soils, deep and rich in humified organic substance.

Soil acidity:

Optimal pH between 6.0 and 8.0 (neutral or tending towards acid)

Italian climatic area:

In Italy it is present in all regions except the islands. In the north it is found in the cold and humid areas of the Po Valley together with the oak to form the lowland forests but in sunny positions without exceeding 600 m of altitude. In the center-south in the mountain horizon up to 900-1000 m as a constituent of the mesophilous forests together with the deciduous oak and the beech.

Water needs:

As an adult it does not require watering but can only tolerate periods of short drought..

Propagation:

Propagation is anemochorous (the seed is carried by the wind) or cutting.

Pruning:

not necessary. As always, the thesis remains valid that pruning is only possible to shape or remove dry branches.

Malattie:

Generally little affected by pathogens and parasites. Fungi: copper canker; anthracnose. Insects: Malacosoma; aphids; Anoplophora. Mites: yellow spider mite

SPECIAL FEATURES

the term “Carpinus” derives from the union of the root “kar” meaning “to be hard” and “pinus” meaning “pine”, while the term “betulus” derives from “betula”, a term given to it by Linnaeus due to its similarity to the birch.

Annotations

Long-lived tree that can live up to 150 years.

Used to form hedges, city trees, as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Despite being deciduous, in fact, its branches are very intricate, partially screening the view. The hornbeam has the rare characteristic of keeping the dry leaves on the plant until the new leaves open.

Together with the English oak (Quercus robur), it constituted the vast primary forests that covered the Po Valley before the colonization and reclamation by the Romans. It seems that its name derives from the Celtic populations that populated it. As an ornamental species, it is particularly appreciated for its resistance to pruning and for its thick foliage, characteristics that make it very suitable for the creation of hedges, noise barriers, and reforestation. It improves the soil and has a notable capacity for producing suckers. For more information, you can go here

The wood

The wood is difficult to work because it has twisted fibers, is hard and tough; in ancient times it was used in the manufacture of tools subjected to stress (handles, gears, rake teeth, etc.). Small objects such as chessmen, gears, wheel spokes and some components of musical instruments can be made: for percussion sticks and for the mechanics of pianos.

Hornbeam wood has a high calorific value and is used for energy purposes.

A legend tells that Astolfo, king of the Lombards, used to go hunting with his faithful falcon in the thick forests and humid marshes. One day the falcon disappeared in the thick woods. The king searched for it everywhere, but without success. He then made a vow: if he found it again, he would found a city and a church dedicated to the Madonna. After much searching, he saw it perched on the branch of a hornbeam and decided that he would call the city Carpi, from the name of the tree, and there he would build the parish church of Santa Maria in Arce, known as La Sagra.

In the kitchen:

there are no known uses