Hornbeams are absolutely hardy
Hornbeams are native trees that can withstand temperatures down to minus 20 degrees or even lower without any problems. Older trees basically don't need protection in winter.
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Younger trees that are fresh planted you should definitely protect them from frost in the first year.
Hornbeams that you as Column hornbeam Pull in the pot, overwinter in a cold greenhouse or in a sheltered place on the terrace. It shouldn't get colder than minus ten degrees there.
Mulch before winter
Even if hornbeams survive the winter without protection, a mulch cover made of leaves, lawn clippings or straw makes sense. It fulfills several functions:
- Prevents drying out
- keeps weeds down
- supplies the soil with nutrients
Do not prune the hornbeam before winter
Unlike many other trees in the garden, the hornbeam is not cut back in autumn. Of the Cut back takes place in February.
The last cut should be made in August at the latest.
The hornbeam leaves get stuck
A special feature of the hornbeam is that the tree is summer green, but the leaves often hang on the tree over winter until they sprout again.
They are no longer supplied with water and nutrients in the cold and dry up.
You should simply leave fallen leaves behind. They form a natural mulch cover under the hornbeam. When rotting, they release nutrients that are known as fertilizer works. Foliage falling from Pests or disease, you have to rake up and dispose of with household waste.
Watering the hornbeam in winter
Hornbeams can dry up in very dry winters. Young hornbeams are primarily at risk. They should be poured once more often.
Water on a frost-free day. If possible, do not wet the trunk.
Tips
A hornbeam is no longer fertilized from August. The tree would then sprout again. However, the new shoots no longer mature properly and die in winter when there is frost.