European Hornbeam

Scientific Name: Carpinus betulus

Family: Betulaceae

Origin: Europe and Western Asia

Why is it called European Hornbeam? Horn comes from the hardness of the wood like an animal horn. The Old English word beam means tree.

Common Names: Upright hornbeam and Common Hornbeam

Mature Height: 40-60 feet

Mature Width/Spread: 30-40 feet

Leaves: The green leaves are alternate, sharp toothed or serrated leaves with a pointed tip. They are 2 ½ to 5 inches in length and have prominent veins which makes them feel corrugated.

In the fall, the leaves become: brown

Flowers: Catkins, or flower clusters shaped like cylinders that contain seeds

Bark: Smooth and has a steel gray color. The tree trunk is frequently crooked.

Did you know …

The wood from the European hornbeam is often used to make pianos.
The wood from this tree is very heavy and hardy, so historically it has been used for axles, tool handles and butcher blocks.
Hornbeam leaves are used as food plants by the larvae of many moths and butterflies.

Leaves and Seed Catkins of the European Hornbeam

Steel Gray Colored Bark of the European Hornbeam

Sources

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/european-hornbeam

https://bernheim.org/learn/trees-plants/bernheim-select-urban-trees/european-hornbeam/

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a344

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpinus_betulus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbeam

Photo Credit

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