Lucas European Hornbeam

Carpinus betulus ‘Lucas’

Nature Hills Nursery

$104⁰⁶

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Plant Size

#3 Container

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This tree performs best in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least four to six hours of direct light daily. In hotter climates, providing some afternoon shade helps maintain the deep green luster of the foliage and prevents leaf scorch.
Soil: It prefers well-drained, loamy soil but is famously adaptable to various conditions. If you are dealing with heavy clay, plant it slightly high in the hole to ensure the root flare isn't suffocated, as this tree dislikes "wet feet" or standing water.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years, water deeply twice a week to ensure the root system anchors properly. Once established, the Lucas European Hornbeam is quite resilient, though it will need supplemental soaking during extended dry spells to prevent premature leaf drop. Inconsistent watering during the heat of summer can lead to smaller leaf size and a thinner canopy.

Pruning Tips

This variety is slow-growing and naturally maintains a tight, columnar shape, so it rarely needs heavy pruning. If you wish to groom it, prune in late winter or very early spring while the tree is dormant to avoid "bleeding" sap. Think of pruning as a light "tailoring" to remove any crossing branches, which keeps the interior open for airflow and maintains its architectural silhouette.

Fertilizer Needs

Use a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers in late summer, as this can force a flush of soft growth that is easily damaged by early winter freezes. A simple application of composted mulch around the base each year usually provides all the nutrients this hardy tree requires.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6	Week of March 2nd
Zone 7	Week of February 23rd
Zone 8-12	Week of February 15th

Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

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Looking for a sleek, vertical accent tree that thrives in tight spaces? The Lucas European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus 'Lucas'), also known as Lucas Columnar Hornbeam, is a tall, narrow, deciduous tree with a stately form and refined beauty! It boasts glossy, dark green serrated foliage that turns golden-yellow in fall, making it ideal for privacy screening, hedging, and formal landscaping.

This non-flowering, sterile tree is prized for its tight columnar growth habit, making it a fantastic choice for urban yards, tight side yards, or flanking driveways and paths. The Lucas Hornbeam features smooth gray bark on sturdy, upright trunks and symmetrical branching with dense foliage coverage.

Its leaves are oval with finely toothed edges and hold their color well throughout the growing season. As autumn arrives, the foliage shifts to a bright yellow hue before dropping. It typically reaches 30-35 feet tall and stays just 8-10 feet wide without pruning, maintaining a narrowly upright, almost architectural form that requires very little shaping!

Key Features

Strongly columnar, space-saving shape
Dense dark green foliage turns golden yellow in fall
No messy flowers, fruit, or seed pods
Great for screens, hedges, or formal designs
Tolerates urban conditions and pruning

Landscaping Uses

Lucas Columnar Hornbeam reaches 30-35 feet tall and stays 8-10 feet wide, with a strong upright shape, perfect for narrow landscapes.

Tall vertical accent for modern landscapes
Formal rows or allees
Living fences or privacy screens
Flank driveways, fences, or paths
Space-saving shade tree for small yards
Fantastic windbreak tree
Perfect as a street tree or narrow border

Care & Maintenance

Native to Europe and Western Asia, this cultivar is a selected form of the European Hornbeam that is bred for its narrower profile and improved uniformity. It produces no flowers or fruit of note, is a non-invasive, pollution-tolerant tree perfect for cold, windy regions, compact urban areas, and structured plantings.

Hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8, it’s a favorite in both residential and commercial landscapes. This is a deciduous, cold-hardy, low-maintenance tree with a narrow upright habit that tolerates pollution and wind.

Planting Time: Best planted in spring or fall
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Requirements: Prefers moist, well-drained soil but tolerates clay and compacted urban soils
Moisture Needs: Moderate; water deeply during establishment and during dry spells (use the Finger Test)
Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Fertilization Needs: Use a slow-release balanced fertilizer in early spring; compost is beneficial
Pruning Info: Prune in late winter if shaping is needed; responds well to pruning for formal hedges
Renewal Pruning: Not needed due to formal shape
Special Perks/Growing Tips:

Extremely cold-hardy
Wind-tolerant
Resistant to urban stress and air pollution
Adaptable to clay and alkaline soils

Upright Elegance For Every Space

Lucas Columnar Hornbeam brings architectural drama and elegant greenery to narrow spaces. Its tidy vertical growth makes it perfect for rows, screens, and formal plantings in modern or traditional gardens. Order your Lucas European Hornbeam and start shaping your garden with refined structure today from naturehills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the growth rate of the Lucas Columnar Hornbeam?

Lucas Hornbeam grows at a moderate pace of 12-18 inches per year, forming a dense, upright column.

Does Lucas Hornbeam require pruning to keep its shape?

Not usually; the naturally columnar shape stays tidy without much pruning. You can shear it if you’re creating a hedge or want a formal look.

Is Lucas European Hornbeam a good privacy tree?

Yes, its dense foliage and upright habit make it an excellent living screen or hedge, even in tight spaces.

How tall and wide does Lucas Hornbeam grow?

It matures to about 30-35 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide, keeping a strong vertical form.

Can Lucas Columnar Hornbeam tolerate poor urban soil?

Yes, it's very adaptable and handles compacted, clay, or alkaline soils, as well as air pollution and urban stress.

Is Lucas Columnar Hornbeam messy?

No, it doesn’t produce messy fruit or seeds, and its leaves drop cleanly in fall.

Why Order From Nature Hills Nursery?

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Lucas European Hornbeam