Frans Fontain European Hornbeam Tree Hedge - August 2026

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Back in July, I posted a photo or two about how I had to prune back some of the lower limbs on some of our Frans Fontaine European (Columnar) Hornebeam trees to make traversing the sideyard boardwalk a little bit easier.  They were encroaching on the pathway.  

That is part of the collection of posts about these trees that you can find here:  [Frans Fontaine European Hornbeam Trees].  

2026 marks their eight season in the garden and you can go all the way back to when I was first researching the trees and when eight 2" caliper Frans Fontaine European Hornbeam trees were planted in May 2018.  They were planted 6-feet trunk-to-trunk.  

Over the years, I've documented their growth, leaf-fall, bud setting and opening in Spring.

Here's what they look like right now - after eight seasons:

Frans Fontaine Hornbeam Hedge - Columnar Trees for Privacy

They're big, and leafy.  But, they're starting to show some holes.  

I haven't pruned these at all.  But, the neighbor to the north has pruned their side.  I'm thinking it might be time to prune them this off-season.  When they are dormant.  

Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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