Culture: Full sun to partial shade; best in … Height – 30 to 50 feet (10 to 15 meters) Exposure – full sun Soil – ordinary Foliage – deciduous Flowering – spring. Hornbeam or blue-beech is a common tree in our forests, and it also appears in many parks and gardens. A caveat: that slender, young Columnar European Hornbeam will get big—40 feet tall and 25 feet wide. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Yellow to yellow-green fall color. The densely branched European Hornbeam is columnar when young and grows into its stately namesake shape as it ages, up to 80 feet tall where it is native in Europe and Central Asia.Carpinus betulus has a distinctive fluted gray bark and sharply-toothed dark green foliage that turns yellow-orange in autumn. A tall, deciduous shade tree featuring a narrow upright habit, low maintenance requirements, columnar form and golden fall foliage. Ovate, sharply-toothed, dark green leaves (to 5” long) are clean and attractive throughout the growing season with little susceptibility to foliar diseases. Carpinus betulus commonly called European hornbeam is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that grows 40-60’ (less frequently to 80’) tall with a pyramidal to oval-rounded crown. This hornbeam will grow to be 45′ tall with a 25-35′ spread. Otherwise, this tree is low maintenance and easy to please. European Hornbeam ‘Pinocchio’ has an attractive, columnar form featuring dense branches when young. Narrow, dense, upright tree when young, which develops a formal, oval shape with time. Major hornbeam facts. European Hornbeam ‘Pinocchio’ Carpinus betulus European Hornbeam ‘Pinocchio’ 50′ – 80′ columnar. The Pyramidal European Hornbeam is a pyramidal tree that has dark green foliage that turns yellow in the fall. It is a moderate grower that does best in full sun and wet soil. It’s not a fast growing tree, so it won’t happen overnight, but if you plan on keeping this plant at a certain size, be prepared to do some clipping. Smooth gray bark. Noteworthy Characteristics. Hardiness Zone: 5 - 6 [Find Your Zone] Mature Height: 40-50 Feet Features: Crisp, green summer foliage; smooth gray bark. Also known as Upright European Hornbeam. Name – Carpinus Family – Betulaceae Type – tree.