European Hornbeam 'Frans Fontaine'

‘Frans Fontaine’ is a narrow, upright selection of European hornbeam with smooth gray bark and green leaves that turn golden yellow in autumn. It produces male catkins in April, and its crown may broaden with age ([RHS profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/91769/carpinus-betulus-frans-fontaine/details); [Trees and Shrubs Online](https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/carpinus/carpinus-betulus/)). ## Growing Conditions The RHS lists full sun or partial shade and chalk, clay, loam or sand. It gives mature dimensions of 8–12 m tall by 2.5–4 m wide; the Dawes Arboretum describes the same cultivar as 30–40 ft tall and 8–12 ft wide ([Dawes Arboretum](https://dawesarb.arboretumexplorer.org/taxon-20584.aspx)). Allow room for its mature canopy. ## Maintenance Prune only to maintain a desired clearance or shape. Its narrow juvenile habit suits vertical accents and screens, while the published mature size should guide spacing.