Landscape designers are always looking for columnar trees that are widely adapted. This European hornbeam cultivar maintains it narrow upright form through its life.

The cultivar Fran Fontaine is a hornbeam variant which grows to a height of 40’ but maintains a narrow columnar shape and typically does not exceed 20’ in width. Hornbeam leaves are crisply serrated with straight veins. During the summer season the leaves are green but turn gold in the fall. It has smooth, grey bark that has a muscular look.

Plant managers often take advantage of narrow growth habit of this cultivar by shaping it into hedges, arches or topiary. A tall screen could be created by setting out the plants 5′-10’ apart in row and letting the tree foliage grow together.