Carpinus betulus 'Lucas'Hornbeam

Its growth is columnar to narrowly pyramidal at first, developing with age into a narrow oval crown without losing its vertical character. It can reach approximately 8 to 10 metres in height and 3 to 4 metres in width, keeping a more controlled spread than Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’. This proportion makes it particularly suitable for narrow streets and places where the available width limits the choice of tree.

The leaves are ovate, strongly veined and an intense dark green, forming a dense, uniform crown. In autumn, the foliage takes on golden-yellow tones before drying. A significant proportion of the leaves stays on the branches through the winter, creating a brown texture and retaining some capacity for visual screening even after the growing season.

In spring, green catkins appear, discreet among the new foliage, followed by small fruits gathered in hanging clusters. The regular branching and high leaf density produce a uniform silhouette, particularly effective in formal avenue plantings and architectural compositions.

It grows in full sun or partial shade and adapts to clay, loam or sandy soils, provided it has suitable conditions for establishment. It tolerates cold, wind, periods of drought and the proximity of paving. The relatively shallow root system benefits from a generous volume of soil, especially in urban tree pits and heavily paved areas.

It is suited to narrow streets, residential areas, car parks, entrances, small gardens and avenue plantings that call for a vertical tree without the lateral spread characteristic of other hornbeams. Mature specimens from Diaplant immediately bring a narrow, consolidated crown, a precise vertical rhythm and a mass of foliage capable of structuring the space from the moment of planting.