The European Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus, is an extremely versatile tree, useful as a wind screen, hedge or as a specimen tree. Takes well to pruning and is adaptable to most planting sites. The narrow, dark green foliage has a yellow fall color. The plant grows slowly, is shallow rooted, and it can branch low to the ground. European hornbeam has enough pruning tolerance to be a hedge, tall screen, shade tree or topiary. It is also recommended for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway. This hornbeam grows in full sun to partial shade; best in well-drained soils, but tolerates wide range of soil conditions.