June 2025: Japanese Hornbeam

By Greg Doyle, Andy Mead, and Tyson Gregory

Japanese Hornbeam tree at Henry Clay Estate. By Greg Doyle.

This Japanese hornbeam (Carpinus japonica) is located on the grounds of the Henry Clay Estate off Fincastle Road near the intersection of Woodspoint Road.

A small-to-medium deciduous tree, the Japanese hornbeam grows 20 to 30 feet tall, but can reach 50 feet in its native habitat. It is a native of Japan and was introduced into this country in 1895.

The literature regards Japanese hornbeams as one of the most elegant small trees for a garden, with a low, wide-spreading, mounded shape with a thin, delicate branching habit. The bark is smooth and ashy gray.  The leaves are longer than other hornbeams, dark green with a doubly toothed margin, and grow

4 to 5 inches long and about 2 inches wide, and turn yellow in fall. The female catkins possess great ornamental qualities: they are yellow-green contrasting well against the emerald green foliage, around 2 inches long, and look like hop flowers. 

 Catkins (flowers) of Japanese Hornbeam at Henry Clay Estate. By Greg Doyle.

Japanese Hornbeams are reported to be tolerant of varied soil types but perform best in moist rich soils and partial shade. For our southern climate, this tree really benefits from growing in the shade of larger trees, like the specimen highlighted at the Henry Clay Estate. It is considered low maintenance and has no serious insect or disease problems, making it suitable for urban environments. If you're looking for a unique tree to add to a small shaded garden or courtyard, this tree would be an excellent choice. 

Links to more resources:

• https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/carpinus-japonica/

• https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/carpinus-japonica

• https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/carpinus/carpinus-japonica/