Frans Fontaine Hornbeam | Columnar Green Foliage Tree

Frans Fontaine Columnar European Hornbeam

15 Gallon

$169.00

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Frans Fontaine Columnar European Hornbeam

Carpinus betulus 'Frans Fontaine'

Narrow Columnar Living Wall • Dense Screening Without Pruning • Adaptable & Tough

$169.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Frans Fontaine Hornbeam is the definitive choice for vertical structure. This densely branched, narrowly columnar tree forms a living green wall or a crisp, formal sentinel without the need for constant shearing. Its crisp green summer foliage, golden fall color, and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions make it an invaluable, low-maintenance architectural tree for modern Bay Area gardens.

Grows in an exceptionally tight, uniform columnar shape, maintaining its narrow width (only 10-15 ft) even at maturity, perfect for tight spaces and formal avenues.
Provides superb, dense screening and vertical accent; can be planted in a row to create a tall, solid hedge or allee without the width of traditional trees.
Features crisp, pleated green leaves that turn a handsome golden-yellow in fall, with some dried leaves often persisting into winter for added texture.
Extremely adaptable to a wide range of soils, including heavy clay, and once established, has good drought tolerance. It thrives in both full sun and part shade.
Requires little to no pruning to maintain its natural columnar form, making it an exceptionally low-maintenance structural plant.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Oval, pointed leaves with serrated edges, dark green turning golden-yellow in fall,Flowers: Male catkins only (no messy fruit),Bark: Smooth gray bark developing vertical ridges with age,Growth Habit: Narrow, uniform columnar form
Mature Height: 25-50 ft
Mature Width: 15-30 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate (12-18" per year)
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Space-saving narrow profile,Low-maintenance,Urban tolerant,Deer resistant,Pollution resistant
Landscape Uses:Formal allees,Street trees,Privacy screens,Architectural accents,Small urban gardens

Q: How close can I plant them to create a screen?
A: For a solid screen, plant them 6-8 feet apart, center to center. Their natural columnar habit will fill in to create a continuous green wall.

Q: Can it be topped or kept shorter?
A: It is best to let it achieve its natural height. Hornbeams respond well to pruning, but heavy topping will ruin its elegant natural form. If height control is needed, it's better to choose a naturally smaller tree.

Q: How does it compare to ‘Fastigiata’ English Oak?
A: ‘Frans Fontaine’ Hornbeam is denser, darker green, more shade tolerant, and better suited to heavier soils. The Columnar English Oak is more open in habit, has a broader mature width, and is a stronger statement piece but may be less effective as a dense screen.