Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata', or Upright Hornbeam, is a columnar variety of the native Hornbeam that has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 2002. It showcases oval, serrated leaves that start as bright green in spring and transform into striking gold and orange tones in autumn. This upright, compact tree is a popular choice for hedges and screening, especially when grown with a clear stem so that branching begins at 1.8-2m, creating a high privacy screen above fences.
The tree requires regular pruning in small spaces to maintain its narrow, flame-like shape, which broadens slightly as it matures to resemble an "Ace of Spades" form. Highly adaptable, it tolerates various soils, including clay and chalk, and is suitable for parkland and avenue planting due to its uniform, architectural silhouette. For hedges, spacing of 80-120cm between trees is ideal, depending on the desired density.