Frans Fontaine hornbeams are quickly becoming one of the most popular landscape trees for homes and businesses. Their attractive shape, hardiness, and ease of care make them an ideal choice for gardens, borders, screening, and more. But where can you find these fabulous trees for your own yard? Getting your hands on a top-notch Frans Fontaine hornbeam is easier than you think when you know where to look.
What is a Frans Fontaine Hornbeam?
First, let’s cover the basics. A Frans Fontaine hornbeam (also known as Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’) is a cultivar of European hornbeam that was discovered in the Netherlands. It has a narrowly upright, columnar shape and makes a striking vertical accent in any landscape.
Frans Fontaine hornbeams are noted for their:
- Narrow, columnar shape (15-30 feet wide at maturity)
- Height of 40-50 feet
- Dark green summer foliage
- Bright golden yellow fall color
- Adaptability to various soils
- Tolerance of urban conditions
- Low maintenance needs
- Long lifespan of 100+ years
The columnar shape and golden fall color make these hornbeams truly stand out They require little care once established and aren’t bothered by pollution, salt, or soil compaction An added bonus is that they are slow growing, so you don’t have to worry about excessive pruning.
Where to Find Frans Fontaine Hornbeams for Sale
Now that you know the benefits of Frans Fontaine hornbeams where can you find them for sale? Here are some of the best options
Online Nurseries
Purchasing trees online has become very popular in recent years. The best online nurseries dig and ship trees directly from their farms to your door. This reduces transplant shock and ensures the trees arrive in excellent condition.
Look for sellers that offer a wide selection of sizes, from small starter trees to large specimen trees:
- 5-6 feet tall – Best for tighter spaces. Establishes quickly.
- 6-8 feet tall – Provides instant impact. Ideal for borders and screening.
- 8-10 feet tall – Makes a bold statement. Perfect for yards with space.
- 10 feet tall x 2-2.5 inch caliper – Mature tree for immediate effect. Works well for large properties.
Reputable online nurseries also provide planting and care instructions and guarantee the trees they ship
Local Nurseries
Visiting local nurseries is another great option for finding Frans Fontaine hornbeams. You can see exactly what you’re getting and avoid shipping costs. The trees are frequently grown right there on site.
Ask if they offer warranties on purchased trees. Also, inspect the roots before buying – they should be white and healthy looking, not brown or dry.
Landscapers
Hiring a professional landscaper is a good route if you want help selecting, planting, and caring for a Frans Fontaine hornbeam. Landscapers have connections with wholesale nurseries and can get mature, high-quality trees.
They know the best practices for transporting, planting, and caring for new trees too. Just be sure to see examples of their previous work and check reviews first.
What Size Frans Fontaine Hornbeam is Best?
Frans Fontaine hornbeams are available in a wide range of sizes, from 1 foot whips to full-grown trees. Which is right for you depends on your specific needs:
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Smaller trees establish quickly and cost less, but make less of an immediate impact. They require staking.
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Larger trees provide instant presence, but take longer to establish and are more expensive. They also need special equipment to transport and plant.
In general, here are some common landscape uses for each size:
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5-6 feet: Small garden accent, planting in groups for privacy
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6-8 feet: Border trees, property screening, marking driveways
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8-10 feet: Privacy screening, vertical accents, lining entries
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10 feet x 2-2.5 inch caliper: Instant shade, large property screening, framing buildings
Think about your timeline, budget, and the mature size you want the tree to reach. Then choose the appropriate starting size.
How Much Does a Frans Fontaine Hornbeam Cost?
The price of a Frans Fontaine hornbeam depends on its size, age, and where you purchase it. On average, you can expect to pay:
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5-6 feet tall: $400 – $700
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6-8 feet tall: $700 – $1,000
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8-10 feet tall: $1,000 – $1,500
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10 feet x 2-2.5 inch caliper: $1,500 – $2,500
Shipping costs will be extra if ordering online. Also account for professional planting services if going that route.
For the best value, look for special deals on pre-orders placed in winter or early spring. This allows nurseries to plan inventory and may offer discounted pricing.
How to Plant and Care for a Frans Fontaine Hornbeam
Once you’ve selected the perfect Frans Fontaine hornbeam, proper planting and care will ensure its health and longevity. Here are some tips:
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Site: Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. They tolerate poor soils but prefer fertile loams.
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Planting: Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball. Set the tree at the same depth it was growing in the nursery. Refill the hole, water thoroughly, and mulch.
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Watering: Water deeply 2-3 times per week for the first few months, then weekly during the first year, tapering off as the tree establishes.
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Fertilizer: Apply a balanced, slow-release tree fertilizer annually in early spring. Follow label directions.
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Pruning: Prune only to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged branches. Avoid heavy pruning.
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Protection: Wrap or paint the trunk in harsh winters to prevent frost cracks. Stake tall specimens the first year.
Follow these tips and your Frans Fontaine hornbeam will thrive for decades to come.
Finding the Perfect Frans Fontaine Hornbeam for You
With their striking shape, vibrant fall color, and carefree growth habit, Frans Fontaine hornbeams are an excellent addition to any yard or landscape. Take the time to find a high-quality specimen from a reputable source and you’ll enjoy its beauty for generations.
Match the size to your space, timeline, and budget. Ask for planting and care instructions. Then sit back and watch your elegant new tree take shape! With the right hornbeam, you’ll love the new focal point it creates in your outdoor space.
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Hardiness Zone: 4-8 · Mature Height: 30-40 Feet · Mature Spread: 8-10 Feet
Buy Frans Fontaine Columnar European Hornbeam online. There is no better tree for a street than this one. It will also make a beautiful statement in your yard. It grows more narrowly than the Pyramidal European Hornbeam and stays upright with little to no pruning. Green leaves cover the tree throughout the year, then display an autumn color festival of yellows and oranges. Excellent tree for privacy!.
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- a time-release fertilizer that is already mixed and applied, and it feeds your plant for up to a year.
- At the top of each container are pre-hydrated Hydro-Gels that can be used for planting. These help keep the soil moist, so plants will get established faster and with less transplant shock. Plants will also be able to handle drought and forgetting to water them better.
- Planting and Care Instruction brochure.
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- Lists of brand-new, interesting plants, like Garden Debut® and Proven Winners®
We use and recommend www.dripdepot.com for our irrigation needs, from simple to install micro and drip systems, to commercial grade irrigation parts and supplies.
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FAQ
How fast does Frans Fontaine hornbeam grow?
Where is the best place to plant hornbeams?
Is hornbeam a fastigiata or Frans Fontaine?
How do you care for a Frans Fontaine hornbeam?
How big does a Frans Fontaine European hornbeam get?
The Frans Fontaine European Hornbeam will get big, up to 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide by some estimates. It’s not a fast growing tree, so it won’t reach this size overnight, but if you plan on keeping it at a certain size, be prepared to do some clipping. Otherwise, this tree is low maintenance and easy to please.
What is Frans Fontaine hornbeam?
Frans Fontaine is a special selection of the upright-oval Columnar Hornbeam, found in the Netherlands. It may be narrower than the older variety.
What is a Frans Fontaine hornbeam?
Frans Fontaine is a special, upright-oval selection of the hornbeam tree, found in the Netherlands. It is often used for hedges or screens, and is narrower than the older variety known as the Columnar European Hornbeam. Through the ages, it has found its way into various applications, such as tool handles, butcher blocks, spokes, yokes, and piano keys.
How tall does Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’ grow?
Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’ grows 35’ tall. This slim selection keeps its columnar form and is 8-15’ wide. ‘Frans Fontaine’ leafs out with the Hornbeams’ signature serrated green leaves in spring before turning a vibrant […].
Which European hornbeam tree is the best choice?
The Frans Fontaine Columnar European Hornbeam is a superior choice for street trees as well as making the perfect elegant statement in your landscape. Known to be more narrow growing than the Pyramidal European Hornbeam, it will keep its upright form with little to no pruning.
What does a Frans Fontaine tree look like?
The Frans Fontaine tree is a formal-looking, upright-growing tree that assumes a tightly columnar shape in youth, becoming a wider oval after many years. It makes an elegant, sturdy street tree or a fine screening tree in time. This tree is amenable to heavy pruning, and you can even shear Frans Fontaine annually to maintain it as a slim, tidy hedge.