Skylark™ Hornbeam Tree
Description
The Skylark™ Hornbeam (Carpinus × Skylark™) is a remarkable tree that combines the best qualities of Carpinus caroliniana and Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’. With its impressive adaptability and exceptional hybrid vigor, this tree thrives even in challenging conditions, making it a reliable choice for your landscape.
Featuring a relatively narrow and upright form, the Skylark™ Hornbeam tree exhibits a compact habit and deep green serrated foliage, adding a touch of elegance to any setting. As the tree matures, its bark develops a unique fluted character, enhancing its visual appeal.
With a mature height of 25-35 feet and a width of 10-15 feet, this tree provides vertical interest and fits well in various landscape designs. Its columnar form sets it apart from the spreading habit of the common Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’, ensuring that the Skylark™ maintains its desired shape as it grows.
Not only does the Skylark™ Hornbeam showcase exceptional aesthetics, but it also boasts a high level of resistance to pests, diseases, and major insect issues. Its mycorrhizal roots contribute to its overall health and help it withstand dry summer conditions with minimal irrigation.
Hardy in zones 5-8, the Skylark™ Hornbeam is a result of extensive breeding efforts by Dr. Harold Pellett, a former professor at the University of Minnesota. Its introduction in 2018, in collaboration with the Morton Arboretum, marks an exciting milestone in hornbeam cultivation.
If you’re seeking a fastigiate hornbeam with improved cold hardiness, enhanced form, and beautiful foliage that transitions to golden colors in the fall, the Skylark™ Hornbeam is the perfect choice.
Survival Guaranteed!
Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Hardiness Zone Range | 5 - 8 |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 8.0 |
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
Recommended Spacing
Zone Compatibility
Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow shade trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Arrives when it's time to plant
Questions & Answers
When your tree matures, it will be approximately 25 - 35' tall x 10 - 15' wide.
When your tree ships, it will be 1.5 - 3' Tall.
This variety has a growth rate of about 12-24” per year.
No, the Skylark Hornbeam is not evergreen.It is a deciduous tree, meaning it loses its leaves in the fall.
The trunk of a mature Skylark hornbeam tree, which typically reaches a height of 25-35 feet, is not typically thicker than one foot in diameter.
Leaves drop in the fall. It doesn’t have needles.
To create a hedge with Skylark hornbeam trees space the trees approximately 3 to 4 feet apart. This spacing allows each tree to grow close enough to form a dense, continuous screen while still giving them some room to develop their natural form.
For a more formal, tightly pruned hedge, you might lean toward the 3-foot spacing. For a slightly looser, more natural-looking hedge, 4 feet will give a bit more breathing room. Hornbeam trees are generally slow-growing and can be pruned annually to maintain the desired height and shape, especially if you're aiming for a dense hedge.
I don't think that it would give you as much privacy as you would need. You could see through the branches. I use arborvitae.
Arborvitae gives you protection from you both winter and summer.
I don't think it's worth the money to spend on trimming this tree up as the actual shape of it is beautiful. It would take a lot of work to keep it in the shape that you want as opposed to arborvitae
I've only planted hornbean in an area that gets at least five or six hours a day.
Beautiful tree. Beautiful colors in the fall in the north
Although deciduous, hornbeams keep their dried leaves in winter.
HI Jason, this tree can be used for a hedge if seasonal pruning is done.