Family: Betulaceae
Common Name: common hornbeam
Origin/Ecology: Native to Europe
Habit: Grows 40-60′ tall with a narrow habit in youth but gradually acquires a tear drop or oval-vase shape with age, maturing at 40′ tall and 30′ wide.
Leaves: Ovate, toothed, bright medium green leaves (to 4″ long) are clean and attractive throughout the growing season. Doubly serrate, close-set pinnate veins. Turns yellow-orange in fall.
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Flowers and Fruit:Monoecious flowering catkins in early spring before foliage. Males are yellowish and females greenish. Fruits are small nutlets in 3-lobed bracts that droop in 5″ long clusters in summer.
Bark: Smooth gray bark and distinctive muscle-like fluting.
Water Use, Soil: Medium moisture, well-drained soils.
Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
Landscape Uses: Small tree for lawns and streets. Screens. Hedges.
Limitations: No serious problems.
Other Features: Buds curved toward stem.