Species: Carpinus betulus L.

(Carpinus betulus L.)
-> Genus: Carpinus -> Family: Corylaceae -> Group: Angiosperms

Habitus

  • it is a tree growing to a height of 20 - 25 m, sometimes as a shrub
  • crown inverted ovate, broom-shaped, dense, branches relatively thick
  • bark smooth reddish-brown to dark grey
  • the bark is light grey to dark grey, characterized by striped colours - alternating between lighter and darker yellow-grey to dark grey bands
  • the bork is smooth even in old age, rarely slightly cracked lengthwise
  • the trunk is often muscular in cross-section

Buds

  • the position of the buds on the twig is spirally alternating
  • buds are ovate, pointed, sessile, slightly protruding
  • shell scales are multiple, reddish-brown, finely hairy

Shoots

  • they are green to reddish-brown, finely hairy, relatively thin
  • there are significant, small, yellowish lenticels on the shoots

Leaves (assimilation organs)

  • leaves are simple, oblong-ovate to elliptical, 4 - 15 x 2.5 - 4 cm in size
  • they are pointed at the end, they are rounded at the base
  • they are sharply double-sawn along the edge
  • venation is protruding significantly
  • peduncle is 1 - 2 cm long
  • the leaves are laid in two rows - flat
  • young leaves are bent along the veins

Flowers

  • it is a monoecious woody plant, with flowers of different sexes
  • it blooms in IV - V, before foliage
  • male flowers (♂) - catkins, cylindrical, pendulous, 4 – 5 cm long
  • female flowers (♀) - catkins, grow from mixed buds at the end of annual growths, are shorter and more slender

Fruits – seeds

  • the fruit is a 5 - 9 mm long, ovoid, ribbed nut, located at the base of a three-lobed wing (bracts)
  • the wings are arranged in 10 - 12 cm long spike-shaped broods
  • before ripening, the nut is green, after ripening it is brown
  • it ripens in October
  • germination is 60 - 80%, it will keep it for a couple of years
  • the seedling has spatulate cotyledons

Extension

  • in Europe it is originally widespread in areas with an oceanic climate
  • in Slovakia, it is a tree species of lowlands to hills, growing from the lowest altitudes to 700 (1,200) m above the sea level.
  • it is an accompanying tree species of the common oak at lower altitudes and the upper part of the winter oak

Ecology

  • semi-shade-loving to shady woody plant, more demanding on moisture in the soil (but it also grows in drier locations)
  • it is more or less a woody plant of the oceanic climate, it has medium nutrient requirements
  • it is frost-resistant but sensitive to exhaust fumes
  • it forms stand mixtures mainly with oaks, where it is rather on the lower floor (oak fur)

Significance

  • it is covering and amelioration tree
  • an important filler tree in oaks, it helps to create direct continuous trunks in oaks
  • it improves the physical and chemical properties of the soil by the waste
  • wood is sapwood, hard, strong, heavy, not very durable
  • various growth and color forms are used in ornamental orchardry, it also tolerates pruning well
  • it tolerates cuts well - suitable for hedges

From history

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