Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
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Tree that closely resembles Beech. Also known as Yoke Elm. It produces flowers in the form of catkins, which remain on the tree until October, when the winged fruit has ripened. Its seed will lie dormant on the soil for 18 months. During winter, the dead leaves remain on the leaves until spring. For this reason, Hornbeam is often used as a windbreak in nurseries and used to be used in mazes. Its name may derive from the Celtic "car" = wood, and "pin" or "pen" = head, because the wood was used for cattle yokes.
Food plant of the following moth caterpillars - Small White Wave, Pale November , Nut Tree Tussock, and Copper Underwing. Hawfinches eat the seed in autumn and winter.
Hornbeam makes a good native hedge. It also makes good firewood and has been used in making cog wheels, butchers' chopping blocks and wooden screws. It is also used in the production of charcoal. The bark has tonic properties, and the plant is one of the Bach Flower Remedies for the "Monday morning feeling" when you feel unable to face the day. In France, the leaves make good fodder crop.
Hornbeam will tolerate wet soil, dense shade and exposed, windy sites. It also likes chalky and clay soils. Prune in late summer - avoid pruning in spring as it will bleed rather a lot due to its rising sap. Birds like the fruits; hares, rabbits and field mice love the leaf shoots and foliage. Each tree supports around 28 species of wildlife. The tree can sometimes be found growing Witches' Brooms, which are caused by the tephrina carpini fungus.