ABSTRACT
Best forms of Carpinus fangiana, the Monkey Tail hornbeam, produce dramatic and highly decorative pendant fruit clusters. Many selections of the European hornbeam are used in amenity situations and these, along with some desirable species for which seed is often unavailable, are propagated by grafting. Carpinus are divided into two sections: Carpinus and Distegocarpus, the largest numbers of species being within the Carpinus section. Distegocarpus species, distinguished by large pendant fruit clusters, are C. cordata, C. fangiana, C. japonica and C. rankanensis. An investigation into the performance of Carpinus on various rootstocks at the Morton Arboretum has provided guidelines for future combinations. The cold callus system follows usual procedures but is less successful than the hot-pipe system which now widely replaces it for grafting forms of Carpinus betulus. Carpinus betulus and its cultivars are susceptible to Bryophid Mite, which by mid-summer can cause significant foliage bronzing and reduction in vigour.
