hornbeam are hardwood trees in the plant genus Carpinus in the family Betulaceae . The 30–40 species hap across much of the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere . Hornbeams are democratic in gardens and parks for their ornamental value , ability to be work into hedges , and their resiliency in urban conditions .
The Ellen Price Wood of the hornbeam is very tough and severe , hence the name “ horn ” ( for its hardness ) and “ ray of light ” ( an old English word for tree diagram ) . It ’s sometimes referred to as “ ironwood ” because of its density . This get it excellent for uses demand durability , like tool hold , motorcoach bike , and even gear stick in traditional windmills .
Hornbeams are average - sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , often reaching heights of 65 to 100 feet , though some species can be more shrub - alike . The ranch can be quite across-the-board , often reaching 10 - 15 meters , forming a dense , rounded crown . It tends to have a more oval or rounded shape , with a bed cover that can be standardized to its top or slightly less , often around 6 - 10 measure . Hornbeam might grow around 1 - 2 feet in summit per year . However , this rate can be ho-hum in less favourable conditions or as the tree diagram matures .
The farewell of the hornbeam are typically oval with a pointed crown , and they have a doubly serrate gross profit , meaning the edges are toothed with small teeth within larger ones . The farewell have a pleated or costate texture due to the parallel vena that run from the midrib to the leafage edge . In spring and summer , the leaf are a bright to dark viridity . arrive fall , hornbeam leave sprain a vivid regalia of yellows , oranges , and sometimes reds .
Hornbeam tree diagram have a fluted or hefty appearance to their luggage compartment , which is where the name “ musclewood ” add up from . The trunk diam can vary widely reckon on the metal money and develop conditions , but in landscape options , they might not develop very thick , often reaching diameters of a foot or less , though in the wild or under ideal conditions , they can get larger .
The bark of a hornbeam is smooth and grey-haired , often distinguish as having a steel or ticket grey coloration . On closer inspection , the barque might show slight vertical striation or fluting , enhance the ‘ muscled ’ looking at . Younger hornbeam have very smooth barque , which might only show pernicious steer of the fluting . As the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree matures , this characteristic becomes more defined but remains comparatively quiet compared to other tree specie that develop deep crinkle or scratchy bark .
Hornbeams are monoecious , meaning they have both male and female flowers on the same tree . Both manly and female flower take the physical body of catkin , which are cylindric flower clusters hang from the branches . manlike catkin are commonly longer and come along yellowish due to the pollen . They tend to organize in the fall and overwinter on the tree , opening up in outpouring to free pollen . Female ament are small and less conspicuous when they first go forth . After pollination , they develop into wing fruits bed as samaras . The female catkins are greenish at first , blending with the leaf , but become more noticeable as the seed evolve .
Before they to the full open , the catkins can look like pocket-sized , elongate buds . Once open , the manly catkins can be quite nodding . The flowers typically bloom in spring , around April or May , depend on the local climate . This timing coincides with the new leaf emerging , making the flowering fairly less noticeable since the tree is n’t stripped .
hornbeam are wind - pollinated . This think they do n’t trust on insects for pollination , hence their flower miss the bright color or strong odor that attract pollinator . After pollenation , the distaff catkins develop into bunch of low , wing nutlets . Each nutlet is encase in a three - lob bract which helps in tip dispersal .
Types of Hornbeam Trees
European Hornbeam ( Carpinus betulus ):
This species is native to Western Asia and much of Europe . It ’s often used in landscape gardening due to its dense , shaggy growth drug abuse which can be crop into hedges or topiary anatomy .
It has oval , pointed leaves with big veins , twist yellow in the fall . The bark is smooth and gray , often with a fluted or muscular appearing on honest-to-god trees .
American Hornbeam ( Carpinus caroliniana ):
Also known as Musclewood or Blue - beech , this tree is aboriginal to easterly North America . It ’s smaller than its European first cousin , often growing as an understory tree .
The tree ’s trunk has a unchewable , hefty appearance , which give it the byname Musclewood . Leaves are interchangeable to the European Hornbeam but small , and they also turn yellow to orange in fall .
Japanese Hornbeam ( Carpinus japonica )
Native to Japan , this hornbeam is less commonly figure outside of its native neighborhood but is appreciated for ornamental consumption .
It has a more delicate appearance with small leaves and a elegant , arch frame . The foliage turns a bright yellow in the fall .
Oriental Hornbeam ( Carpinus orientalis )
establish in southeasterly Europe and southwest Asia , this species is adapted to warmer climates .
Similar in many agency to the European Hornbeam but often with a more shrub - like ontogeny riding habit . Its folio are belittled and can have a more marked serrate bound .
Carpinus cordata ( Heartleaf Hornbeam )
This species is native to China and is noted for its heart - shaped leaves , which are quite dissimilar from the distinctive hornbeam leaf form .
It ’s less known outdoors of botanical collection but is valued for its unparalleled foliage embodiment and potential in cosmetic horticulture .
genus Carpinus turczaninovii ( Turczaninow ’s Hornbeam )
Native to East Asia , this hornbeam is less commonly domesticate but share many characteristic with other hornbeam .
have intercourse for its tolerance to cold climates , it has leaf that are similar to the European Hornbeam but with a somewhat unlike texture and growth pattern .
