A deciduous tree with very hard wood and dense foliage. Leaves are Birch-like, dark green turning yellow and falling in autumn or in some cases they turn brown and remain on the tree until early spring. The wood was used by ancient Romans for the construction of their chariots and the wood of American Hornbeam was used for the yokes of oxen by the American colonists.

European Hornbeams grow about half the size of the American Hornbeam at about 30 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide. The first specimen on the left was photographed in Eastern Jefferson County, Kentucky on July 4, 1999. The specimen to the right was photographed in front of the main post office in Louisville, Kentucky in November 1998. There are several of them lining the front entrance way. I have been noticing them over the last 5 years and can report that they are slow growing. They were about 15 to 18 feet tall in 1993 and in 1998 they are about 25 ft. tall. They are more oval in shape than pyramidal and always look as though they have been pruned, though they have not. The last photograph showing foliage was also taken in Louisville, Kentucky in November of 1998.

European Hornbeams are pest free, prefer full sun and are tolerant of just about any kind of soil. They do not need to be pruned and there rather narrow shape will allow them to be planted in places where space is limited. Most of the specimens I have seen are planted very close to foundations.

© 1999 Michael King

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