In gardens and landscapes, beech and hornbeam are two of the most common plants used as hedges. Both are beautiful native trees with leaves that block views and provide privacy. There are, however, some important differences between these two traditional types of hedging.
Appearance of Foliage
Beech leaves are glossy and oval shaped with delicately wavy edges. The foliage is thin and smooth in texture. Hornbeam leaves have more of a matte finish and deeply etched leaf veins. The leaves have serrated, toothed edges and a thicker, leathery texture.
In autumn, beech foliage turns bright coppery shades of orange, red and yellow before the leaves fall off the branches. Hornbeam leaves fade to more muted yellowish-brown hues in fall before dropping.
Leaf Retention
Beech retains its foliage later into the winter than hornbeam. The beech leaves dry up and turn bronze but remain on the branches longer, providing better winter screening and privacy.
Hornbeam drops its leaves earlier in the fall season and holds very little foliage through the cold winter months. It offers less cover than beech hedges during winter.
Bark Features
Mature beech trunks have smooth, silvery-gray bark with minimal fissuring or ridges. The branching form is graceful and spreads evenly.
The bark of hornbeam trees is also gray, but it looks more twisted and muscular, with knobbly twigs and small branches sticking out.
Soil Tolerances
Beech strongly dislikes soggy, poorly drained soil and is intolerant of sites that get waterlogged.
Hornbeam does much better in damp soil, but it still tries to stay away from conditions that are too wet. It’s more tolerant of heavier clay soils than beech.
Growth Rate and Pruning Needs
Beech is a hedge plant that grows slowly; each year it only adds 30 to 60 cm of new growth. To keep its shape, it only needs one light pruning every year.
Hornbeam grows more quickly, adding up to 90cm of new growth annually. It needs clipping twice per year to keep it neat and tidy in appearance.
Mature Size and Lifespan
Beech trees can grow very large, reaching heights of up to 30m when fully mature. Mature beech trees can live for up to 300 years or longer.
Hornbeam reaches more modest heights of around 20-25m at maturity. Its lifespan is shorter than beech at about 150 years on average.
Climate Preferences
Beech prefers warmer climates and struggles in areas prone to late spring frosts which can damage new growth.
Hornbeam tolerates cold better than beech. It thrives much further north in colder regions than beech can successfully grow.
Ideal Growing Conditions
For Beech:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-drained soil, even sandy soils work
- Adequate moisture – tolerant of drought once established
- Sheltered from harsh winds
For Hornbeam:
- Full sun to full shade
- Moist, humus-rich soil but not soggy
- More tolerant of wind exposure
- Handles heat and humidity better than beech
Susceptibility to Issues
Beech has no serious pest or disease problems. Young trees may need protection from deer browsing on foliage.
Hornbeam is also pest and disease resistant. However, it can be difficult to transplant successfully so it’s vital to plant it in the right spot the first time.
Ornamental Qualities
Beech provides excellent fall foliage color. Some cultivated varieties have purplish or tricolored leaves for added interest.
Hornbeam is not grown for its flowers or fall color. It is appreciated more for its twisted, muscular trunk and branches.
Both make beautiful formal hedge lines and pleached arrangements. The bare winter structure has architectural appeal.
Choosing the Best Hedge
Beech and hornbeam both have merits as hedging plants. Consider your specific growing conditions and needs when deciding which is better suited for your landscape.
Beech offers improved winter screening thanks to better leaf retention. It has showier fall color. Hornbeam grows faster and tolerates more shade. Both lend a refined, formal look to gardens when trimmed. Blending the two creates added diversity and visual appeal.
How to plant Hornbeam or Beech hedges
It’s best (and cheaper,) to plant hedging from November to March. Why not take advantage of bare-root plants that come in bundles and are way cheaper than using pot-grown plants and are ideal if you’re thinking of planting a long boundary? Rootballed plants are another alternative and for impatient gardeners that may prefer instant gratification at Hedges Direct we have mature hedging plants that make a bold statement and provide privacy quickly, so take time to explore the many choices available. Whichever hedging plants you plump for, the methods for planting Beech or Hornbeam hedging are much the same.
- Get your soil ready by digging it up and getting rid of any weeds or rocks that are in it.
- Space plants about 25 cm – 45 cm apart.
- If you want a denser hedge, plant two rows of plants far apart, leaving about 30 cm between each one.
- Firm in each plant as you work along the line.
- Give it a lot of water and add a layer of organic matter, like leaf mold or composted bark. This will keep the soil from drying out in the summer and help keep weeds away.
- Generally, there’s no need to prune bushy, newly-planted hedging. But if the side shoots are too thin, cut back the main lead stem by about a third to make them thicker.
- Rats or deer like to graze in your garden, so use galvanized fencing or individual tree guards to keep young plants safe.
Best places to grow Hornbeam
- Any reasonable soil including wet, clay soils
- Sun, part and full shade
- South and colder Northern areas
- Light brown leaf colour through autumn and winter
Both Beech and Hornbeam are largely untroubled by any serious pests and diseases which is why they remain such a popular choice for gardens across the country. If you’re unlucky enough to spot a problem, see our quick guide for troubleshooting potential dangers.
Comparison of Beech and Hornbeam tree features. O
FAQ
What is the difference between hornbeam and beech?
Winter Beech leaves are bright copper – Hornbeam foliage is a darker, grey-brown. Beech doesn’t like damp soil – Hornbeam can cope with moist soil but loathes waterlogged sites. Hornbeam grows faster than Beech so needs clipping twice a year whereas Beech being slower, only requires light pruning once a year in August.
How do you identify a hornbeam tree?
How to identify. The Common hornbeam has a smooth, grey, ‘twisting’ trunk, toothed-edged leaves, and three-lobed seeds. It could be mistaken for Common beech, but its leaves are more toothed and veiny.
Which grows faster, hornbeam or beech?
Hornbeam is faster growing than beech, putting on an average of 20-40cm per year.Jan 5, 2023
What are the cons of hornbeam?
The American hornbeam is extremely resistant to both pests and diseases, so problems rarely arise. However, hornbeam trees can develop cankers, or dead sections on the bark or branches. 1 And they can present with leaf scorch or leaf spots. Proper maintenance and appropriate water amounts should prevent this.