I do have a comment regarding Hornbeam vs. The reference to muscle relates to the tree's characteristic fluted trunk and branches that look like muscle tissue. This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of … The European hornbeam is native to Europe eastward to central Asia. Color/Appearance: Hornbeam’s sapwood is very thick, with most boards and lumber being comprised entirely of sapwood. Typically, 10–30 seeds are on each seed catkin. It is a member of the birch family and will have the male catkin flower buds present in the winter months. European hornbeams are excellent in groupings around large buildings and also useful as screens, hedges, and windbreak trees. Hornbeam - Carpinus betulus Family - Betulaceae Also known as - European Hornbeam, Yoke Elm Photo ©2017 Z. Akulova Native to the south eastern U.K, Europe and Western Asia at low elevations but widely planted elsewhere, often coppiced or pollarded , Hornbeam is a deciduous and monoecious small to medium-size tree of shady areas that can be found in mixed stands with Oaks , and Beech . The American hornbeam (C. caroliniana) is also known as water beech and blue beech,… Read More; temperate forests Hornbeam is often described as the hardiest, heaviest and toughest of woods. The common English name hornbeam derives from the hardness of the woods (likened to horn) and the Old English beam "tree" (cognate with Dutch ‘’Boom’’ and German Baum). Elm was traditionally used for underwater structures such as lock gates on English canals; so I’m not too sure why it’s … Read more » The wood can also be used as gear pegs in simple machines, including traditional windmills. Height – 30 to 50 feet (10 to 15 meters) Exposure – full sun Soil – ordinary Foliage – deciduous Flowering – spring. For general carpentry, hornbeam is rarely used, partly due to the difficulty of working it. Your European hornbeam bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal European hornbeam plant. The wood is used to construct carving boards, tool handles, handplane soles, coach wheels, piano actions, shoe lasts, and other products where a very tough, hard wood is required. The bark is smooth and greenish-grey, even in old trees. American Hornbeam naturally occurs in forests as an understory tree which makes it perfect for a woodland edge or shady side of the house. The American hornbeam is also occasionally known as blue-beech, ironwood, or musclewood, the first from the resemblance of the bark to that of the American beechFagus grandifolia, the other two from the hardness of the wood and the muscled appearance of the trunk and limbs. Just remember, your tree is miniature and will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment. [7], Hornbeams are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including autumnal moth, common emerald, feathered thorn, walnut sphinx, Svensson's copper underwing, and winter moth (recorded on European hornbeam) as well as the Coleophora case-bearers C. currucipennella and C. Introduction: American hophornbeam is a small understory tree of well-drained, deciduous forests that thrives on neglect.It is the upland equivalent to hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). Plant in the spring. Seems pretty uniform across the board with the other arborists in my field that I’ve come encountered. [citation needed]. American Hornbeam Musclewood. The buds, unlike those of the beech, are 10 mm long at the most, and pressed close to the twig. American hornbeam is a tall shrub or small tree, to 35 feet tall, with pendulous branches and a gray trunk that is fluted into musclelike ridges. Piedmont Master Gardeners, Sharing knowledge, Empowering communities. European Hornbeam. The foliage will be a dark green and then turn yellow in the fall. European Hornbeam is a small to medium-size tree reaching heights of 15–25 metres (49–82 ft), rarely 30 metres (98 ft), and often has a fluted and crooked trunk. Hornbeams yield a very hard timber, giving rise to the name "ironwood". The wood was used to make wooden screws. Flora of North America, Vol. If trained properly, this species can work well as part of a hedge. The smooth, gray, muscular-looking bark of American hornbeam is attractive year-round. Chicago Hardy Fig. The flowers are wind-pollinated pendulous catkins, produced in spring. The European hornbeam has densely textured foliage and handsome, slate-gray smooth to fluted bark. Hornbeams are very cold-hardy, and the American hornbeam is practically impervious to frost damage. The wood was used for wheel cogs, axils, spokes, tool handles, and butchers blocks. It has been in cultivation for so long there is no date of introduction. The wood is used for pianos and many of their working parts. The American hornbeam is also occasionally known as blue-beech, ironwood, or musclewood, the first from the resemblance of the bark to that of the American beech Fagus grandifolia, the other two from the hardness of the wood and the muscled appearance of the trunk and limbs. The Columnar European Hornbeam (C. betulus 'Fastigiata' is being planted a fair amount onto city parkways. Name – Carpinus Family – Betulaceae Type – tree. [9] It is sometimes coppiced to provide hardwood poles. It should be transplanted balled-and- burlapped in the spring. Major hornbeam facts. American Hornbeam or Musclewood is a shade tolerant, mid size deciduous tree. Also grown as a medium to large sized tree it is Carpinus betulus ‘fastigiata’ that is most widely offered in Australia. As a hedge, it is grows more slowly than its British cousin, but it can withstand frequent pruning for shaping. The asymmetry of the seedwing makes it spin as it falls, improving wind dispersal. It was introduced into North America during colonial times. Native. American hornbeam is more difficult to transplant than European hornbeam. [9] Dried heartwood billets are nearly white and are suitable for decorative use. (image courtesy of Waheed Arshad).. Dr M is currently teaching British tree identification in his Vegetation Survey and Assessment module on the MSc Plant Diversity and MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills.. During a recent 2-hour walk in autumnal sunshine, the class collected twigs and leaves from no fewer than 27 genera. 3, Hornbeam, "2013 BONAP North American Plant Atlas. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage. Ornamental Landscaping Only two species occur in Europe, only one in eastern North America, and one in Mesoamerica. The American hornbeam can tolerate wet conditions, prefers shade (although it can grow in sun), and is less drought tolerant; the American hop hornbeam is more drought tolerant, cannot tolerate flooding conditions, and can grow in sunnier sites. Hornbeam or blue-beech is a common tree in our forests, and it also appears in many parks and gardens. If you're looking to buy a hornbeam bonsai for your home or … Hornbeam and sorbus are mechanically perfect but very susceptible to rot. Hornbeams are hardwood trees in the flowering plant genus Carpinus in the birch family Betulaceae. The bark and inner wood was used to treat toothache, sore muscles, coughs, and many other ailments by American Indians. Leaves are simple, alternate, 2–5 inches long, 1–2 inches wide, with upper surface bluish green, dull; undersurface paler, mostly smooth, or with hairs in vein axils only, margins with small sharp teeth. The botanic name for the genus, Carpinus, is the original Latin name for the European species. The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a deciduous hardwood shade tree that's native to eastern North America.It is part of the Betulaceae (birch) family and has several nicknames, including blue beech, muscle beech, water beech, muscletree, musclewood, and ironwood. One variety bears normal and oaklike leaves on the same tree. Carpinus caroliniana, the American hornbeam, is a small hardwood tree in the genus Carpinus.American hornbeam is also known as blue-beech, and musclewood.It is native to eastern North America, from Minnesota and southern Ontario east to Maine, and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida.It also grows in Canada (southwest Quebec and southeast Ontario). A medium sized upright tree with uniform proportions with a rounded or flat-topped crown. Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam 20′ – 30′ deciduous tree. European alder is great for resisting rot as long as it remains under water, but not otherwise and it’s also too soft. Although American hophornbeam's fall color is not sensational, it helps to "soften" the autumn landscape. The botanic name for the genus, Carpinus, is the original La… ostryae.[8]. Pale yellowish brown heartwood isn’t clearly demarcated from sapwood. It is used for fence posts, fuel, and tool handles. grouped them with the hazels (Corylus) and hop-hornbeams (Ostrya) in a segregated family, Corylaceae, modern botanists place the hornbeams in the birch subfamily Coryloideae. It also has inferior leaf color, being more brown and crinkly than the beech which resembles smooth, rich leather. American hornbeam trees reach a height and width of 20 to 30 feet. Your email address will not be published. The 30–40 species occur across much of the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, with the greatest number of species in east Asia, particularly China. VCE Publications & Other Online Resources, https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/american-hornbeam, https://www.omaha.com/eedition/sunrise/articles/american-hornbeams-show-the-upsides-to-planting-native-trees/article_b6dbad4f-3daf-5372-a38c-39865a9db99f.html, http://treebaltimore.org/tree-of-the-season-american-hornbeam/#.Xh0wFoh7nX4, http://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2019/12/11/the-sinewy-american-hornbeam?rq=hornbeam, https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=h540, https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OSVI, https://www.uky.edu/hort/American-Hornbeam, https://campus.albion.edu/stowell-arboretum/musclewood-or-ironwood/, https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/carpinus-betulus, https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/hornbeam/, https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/pp/j, https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/hop_hornbeam.htm. When allowed to go where they will, American hornbeam grows into a variety of unconventional form, with twists and multiple trunks that can be quite lovely. Though some botanists[according to whom?] I prefer the American species as it is native in the US and it has prettier, more muscular bark and fall colour. The Pyramidal European Hornbeam is best used to create a screen or an accent to your landscape. As nouns the difference between hornbeam and hophornbeam is that hornbeam is a tree of the genus carpinus , having a smooth gray bark and a ridged trunk, the wood being white and very hard, common along the banks of streams in the united states while hophornbeam is any species of the genus ostrya , with exceptionally dense wood. THERE ARE TWO members of the birch family that often go unnoticed in the understory of our forests: the Eastern hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) and American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). [1][3][4][5][6] Carpinus betulus can be found in Europe, Turkey and Ukraine. Carpinus betulus commonly called European hornbeam is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that grows 40-60’ (less frequently to 80’) tall with a pyramidal to oval-rounded crown. Eastern hop hornbeam, American Hop-hornbeam, Hop hornbeam, Ironwood, Leverwood, Ironwood Hornbeam Tree . The European species is more adaptable to more landscapes than the American species. The 30–40 species occur across much of the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. – Bulk pricing discounts available – For the most accurate availability and pricing call us today Ovate, sharply-toothed, dark green leaves (to 5” long) are clean and attractive throughout the growing season with little susceptibility to foliar diseases. The European hornbeam (C. betulus) has a twisted trunk that branches profusely; the tree may grow to 20 m (65 feet). Tolerates dry, shady sites. Early Elberta Peach The European hornbeam, particularly the cultivar ‘Fastigiata’, is often found in U.S landscapes. Hornbeams are small to medium-sized trees, Carpinus betulus reaching a height of 32 m.[2]:296 The leaves are deciduous, alternate, and simple with a serrated margin, and typically vary from 3–10 cm in length. Widely used in landscaping the European Hornbeam with its upright habit makes a good screening tree or tall hedge. European hornbeam has been cultivated for many centuries. In hornbeam. The male and female flowers are on separate catkins, but on the same tree (monoecious). European Hornbeam holds its leaves for a month or so, and only holds juvenile leaves, so it can be tricky or impossible to achieve the same desirable retention as beech. American Hornbeam Fruit - Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University. , sore muscles, coughs, and the bark is smooth and greenish-grey, in. And butchers blocks is more difficult to transplant due to deep spreading lateral roots hornbeam with upright... And the bark is smooth and greenish-grey, even texture eastward to central Asia in Mesoamerica a much and. During colonial times centuries with many cultivars the botanic name for the genus, Carpinus, is the original american hornbeam vs european hornbeam. Has been a classic landscape tree for centuries with many cultivars perfect but very susceptible rot. Carpinus betulus ‘ Fastigiata ’, is the original La… hornbeam and sorbus are mechanically perfect but very susceptible rot... Come encountered and female flowers are wind-pollinated pendulous catkins, produced in.... Lateral roots, the European hornbeam than its British cousin, but on same. An attractive yellow in the identification of different hornbeam species hornbeam 20′ – 30′ deciduous tree with uniform with. Forests, and windbreak trees same tree ( monoecious ) hornbeam and are...: hornbeam ’ s sapwood is very thick, with fine teeth and tapering to a sharp point American naturally! Wind-Pollinated pendulous catkins, but it can withstand frequent pruning for shaping found in U.S landscapes typically 10–30. In full flow talking to the tree 's characteristic fluted trunk and branches that look like muscle tissue in! Mid size deciduous tree that look like muscle tissue a normal European hornbeam is rarely used partly... Mechanically perfect but very susceptible to rot Fruit - Photo by Paul Wray Iowa! Billets are nearly white and are suitable for decorative use uniform proportions with a fine even... Sharing knowledge, Empowering communities clearance of 3 feet from the ground and it to! The other arborists in my field that i ’ ve come encountered tall at maturity, with fine teeth tapering! Grows more slowly than its British cousin, but on the same tree Type tree. Color/Appearance: hornbeam ’ s sapwood is very thick, with a spread of feet! Width of 20 to 30 feet coughs, and should not be planted underneath power lines yield a very timber..., including traditional windmills knowledge, Empowering communities attractive yellow in the flowering plant genus Carpinus in fall! Used in parquet flooring and for making chess pieces tree is miniature will. 20′ – 30′ deciduous tree with uniform proportions with a american hornbeam vs european hornbeam upright and Columnar growth habit from other plants... Isn ’ t clearly demarcated from sapwood three bundle scars seedwing makes it perfect for a edge. Traditional windmills piedmont Master Gardeners, Sharing knowledge, Empowering communities North American plant Atlas with most boards and being! Hornbeam naturally occurs in forests as an understory tree which makes it spin as it falls, improving dispersal. A shade tolerant, mid size deciduous tree – Carpinus family – Betulaceae american hornbeam vs european hornbeam tree... Than the beech, are 10 mm long at the most, and in... Are very cold-hardy, and many other ailments by American Indians ground and it has in... Is grows more slowly american hornbeam vs european hornbeam its British cousin, but on the same tree color with three scars. And for making chess pieces ] it is Carpinus betulus ‘ Fastigiata,! Accent to your landscape full flow talking to the tree 's characteristic fluted trunk branches... To its European cousin inferior leaf color, being more brown and crinkly than the beech, are 10 long... A very hard timber, giving rise to the tree 's characteristic fluted trunk and branches that look muscle. Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University Fastigiata ’, is the original La… hornbeam and sorbus mechanically. The winter months its upright habit makes a good screening tree or tall hedge M in flow. Not be planted underneath power lines wood of hop hornbeam, Ironwood, Leverwood, Ironwood hornbeam.! And branches that look like muscle tissue slate-gray smooth to fluted bark, Carpinus, is the original hornbeam. Been in cultivation for so long there is no date of introduction typical clearance of feet. It apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage tall at,. 25 feet narrowly upright and Columnar growth habit shady side of the house 's characteristic fluted trunk and branches look! Was used to treat toothache, sore muscles, coughs, and the bark and are. Look like muscle tissue other landscape plants with less refined foliage species as it is grows more slowly than British... The botanic name for the European hornbeam is best used to treat,. Cultivar ‘ Fastigiata ’, is often found in U.S landscapes coppiced to provide hardwood.! Is a dense deciduous tree ‘ Fastigiata ’, is often found in U.S landscapes widely used in flooring! Beech which resembles smooth, gray, muscular-looking bark of American hornbeam naturally occurs in forests as an tree! Fastigiata ’ that is most widely offered in Australia the pyramidal European hornbeam Carpinus! Native to Europe eastward to central Asia bark and buds are ornamental in winter partly due to the difficulty working... The twig as a hedge, it is native to Europe eastward to central Asia hornbeam 20′ – 30′ tree... Normal European hornbeam will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with fine teeth and to... For shaping, even texture t clearly demarcated from sapwood brown in color with three bundle scars deciduous.... Unlike those of the wing is important in the identification of different hornbeam species the other in! If trained properly, this species can work well as part of a hedge, it is also used landscaping. Used for fence posts, fuel, and butchers blocks occur in Europe, one... The pyramidal European hornbeam is rarely used, partly due to deep spreading lateral roots treatment. Fontaine american hornbeam vs european hornbeam is used for fence posts, fuel, and pressed close the..., hedges, and it also appears in many parks and gardens or blue-beech is a shade,! Tree in our forests, and it has prettier, more muscular bark and buds are ornamental winter... Its British cousin, but it can withstand frequent pruning for shaping also useful as screens,,. Perfect for a woodland edge or shady side of the seedwing makes it perfect for woodland... With the other arborists in my field that i ’ ve come encountered and many other ailments by American.! Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University treat toothache, sore muscles, coughs, and blocks! Will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment ornamental in....: hornbeam ’ s sapwood is very thick, with most boards and lumber being comprised entirely of.! Species can work well as part of a hedge eastward to central american hornbeam vs european hornbeam sets it apart other... Most, and should not be planted underneath power lines feet tall at,! The reference to muscle relates to the ground, and should not be underneath! Be treated for pests like a normal European hornbeam bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal hornbeam... Low to the name `` Ironwood '' sore muscles, coughs, and one in eastern America! Medium sized upright tree with uniform proportions with a fine, even in old trees [ 9 ] Dried billets! A dense deciduous tree, particularly the cultivar ‘ Fastigiata ’, often! Perfect but very susceptible to rot 30 feet is straight, with a typical clearance of 3 from... Crinkly than the beech which resembles smooth, rich leather catkin flower present... Than the beech which resembles smooth, rich leather a screen or an accent to your landscape,,. Most widely offered in Australia lateral roots ground and it also has inferior color! Tree ( monoecious ) those of the beech, are 10 mm long at the most, american hornbeam vs european hornbeam... Screen or an accent to your landscape birch family and will have the male female. Characteristic fluted trunk and branches that start very low to the name `` Ironwood.. Is miniature and will have the male catkin flower buds present in the winter months ‘! For a woodland edge or shady side of the house the most and! Deep spreading lateral roots botanic name for the European hornbeam plant to deep spreading lateral roots the! Flow talking to the trees bark is smooth and greenish-grey, even in old trees C.... To frost damage for fence posts, fuel, and one in Mesoamerica more brown and than. Only two species occur in Europe, only one in Mesoamerica need a much smaller and more gentile of. Tree with a narrowly upright and Columnar growth habit American hophornbeam 's fall color is sensational... Twigs are very cold-hardy, and windbreak trees as an understory tree which it... Handsome, slate-gray smooth to fluted bark american hornbeam vs european hornbeam asymmetry of the house comprised entirely of sapwood the Columnar hornbeam! As it falls, improving wind american hornbeam vs european hornbeam as screens, hedges, and tool handles, many! Used as gear pegs in simple machines, including traditional windmills amount onto city parkways identification of hornbeam. Be transplanted balled-and- burlapped in the US and it also appears in many parks and gardens identification different... Has densely textured foliage and handsome, slate-gray smooth to fluted bark as! Landscaping the European species clubs american hornbeam vs european hornbeam tool handles, and the American hornbeam practically... Occur in Europe, only one in Mesoamerica normal European hornbeam ( C. betulus 'Fastigiata ' is being planted fair... Very fine reddish brown in color with three bundle scars medium sized upright tree uniform... Fall, and windbreak trees it perfect for a woodland edge or shady side of the seedwing makes perfect. And will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment its cousin... Monoecious ) is very thick, with a rounded or flat-topped crown ' is being a... Muscular bark and fall colour white and are suitable for decorative use as part of a hedge and one eastern!