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Systematics of woody plants
Gymnosperms
Angiosperms
Alphabetical list of trees
Gymnosperms
Angiosperms
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Species:
Carpinus betulus L.
(Carpinus betulus L.)
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Genus:
Carpinus
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Family:
Corylaceae
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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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