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.
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
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
This work has been released into the public domain by its author, Chhe at English Wikipedia. This applies worldwide.
PAGE INFORMATION WAS COMPILED AS PART OF NOAH WERNING’S 2020 EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT.