About
Carpinus betulus Rockhampton Red ('Lochglow') is a deciduous tree that typically reaches heights of around 15 meters (50 feet) when fully grown. It features grey bark and a robustly branched canopy. The tree's leaves emerge in a vibrant green, transitioning to vivid reds and oranges during the autumn months, which is a distinctive trait for a hornbeam. Often, it retains its brown, withered leaves throughout the winter, dropping them in the spring. In late spring, it produces green catkins, followed by clusters of winged fruits later in the growing season.
About the genus
Carpinus comprises deciduous shrubs and trees known for their appealing leaves and clusters of hop-like fruits that appear in late summer and autumn.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Sand, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- Higher than 12 metres
- Spread
- wider than 8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Easy to grow in most soils, as long as they are reasonably moist and well drained
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring and early summer or grafting
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to caterpillars and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews, coral spot and sometimes honey fungus