Carpinus betulus 'Lucas'
Pleached Hornbeam Lucas
A relative newcomer (2003) with a more upright fastigiate habit than the common Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus ‘Lucas’ produces long slender branches and slightly smaller, denser foliage — ideal for pleaching, with excellent recovery after pruning.
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It is winter hardy. The cultivar suffers from very few diseases and therefore considered a tree for the future.
Deciduous
High pleached options
Also available as roof trees, block on stem, box head trees
Stem girth from 12-14cm up to 30-35cm, occasionally bigger available but they need booking in advance
Various stem heights and frame sizes available
Trained on frame in pleached form for 1-6 years
Available as freshly pleached trees while stocks last
Available in pots and containers, cocoa rootball or rootball
Nationwide delivery service by articulated lorry, smaller vehicle by prior arrangement
Browse our current pleached tree stock, selected for structure, form, and maturity
View Stock & PricesHornbeam – Carpinus betulus ‘Lucas’ (Betulaceae)
The ‘Lucas’ is part of the Betulaceae family. A recent introduced cultivar by Louis Houtmeyers Boomkwekerijen in Eindhout Laakdaal Belgium in 2003. The tree is hardy and resistant to nearly all diseases so is a good choice when considering long term planting for the future. The tree exhibits all the advantages offered by the Common Hornbeam but is distinctly different due to its narrow upright habit which works very well in pleached trees, arches as well as box and block trees. It is often confused as fastigiate (which it is not) exhibiting the same benefits while still producing a dense crown. It has slightly larger leaves than the Common Hornbeam, measuring 8-11cm in length and its branches are elongated, grey/brown in colour and smooth to touch. Older growth from the previous season tends to turn grey in colour.
The foliage is dark green and ovate. In autumn the leaves turn a rich dark yellow colour. When ‘Lucas’ is managed in a formed sense, the tree holds onto the large majority of its leaves in the winter months. The tree recovers extremely well after pruning showing the same qualities as the Common Hornbeam. The ‘Lucas’ will grow happily in pretty much all soil conditions but if it had a preference it would choose loamy soil. Unlike Beech, it can withstand wet soil and a short period of flooding and it responds well being planted on sites where clay is dominant. Winter hardy and frost resistant, it tolerates windy exposed sites where other species respond less favourably.
Typically, in a natural woodland environment the tree will reach heights of 9-10m. Being a relatively small tree, it is quite used to being overshadowed by larger species. Shady sites are therefore no problem for the ‘Lucas’. Like the Common Hornbeam it tolerates paving but prefers not to have its roots covered entirely. We supply feathered trees, clear stem trees and pleached trees in this species. Available as rootball plants in the winter months, potted stock available while stocks last and cocoa rootball can be arranged for delivery throughout summer period by prior arrangement.
