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Trees
Hornbeam
(Carpinus)
Summary
| Order | Family | Sub-family | Genus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fagales
(Fagales) |
Birch Family
(Betulaceae) |
Coryloideae
(Coryloideae) |
Hornbeam
(Carpinus) |
Overview
There are around 45 species of Hornbeam that grow in the northern hemisphere. Only 2 grow in the UK and one of them is rarely found growing in the 'wild' as it is an ornamental tree. Common Hornbeam is found mostly in the south-east of the UK and centrally further north as far as south Scotland. It does grow in Ireland, to the east but it is not as abundant.
Hornbeam is known for the hardness of its wood. The English name shows this is it is made up of 'horn'; as in, as hard as a horn and 'beam' which is an old English word for tree. It is also known as 'Ironwood' and 'Musclewood'.
It was traditionally used in places where hardness and durability where required; include flooring, chopping blocks, mill cogs, piano hammers, etc. It also burns very well and is still used as a firewood.
Bushcraft
A good firewood. Very hard wood so handy for when durability is required, in a spitting mallet, for instance.
Click below for more information of individual species at Plants For A Future website (PFAF.org)
General Info
| Description | Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Deciduous | |
| Edible | No | |
| Uses | Low | See below. |
| Burnability | Good | Slow burning, good heat output. |
| Hardness Rating | 52 | Rough scale of hardness from 0 - 100
(Zero being the softest wood and one hundred being the hardest) |
Gallery and Identification
Features common to majority of species:
Size - Species variation - 11m to 30m (Oriental Hornbeam to Common Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus))
Bark - Light Grey. Fissured lower down. Has the appearance of looking 'hard'.
Leaves - Simple, oval. Has a double toothed edge. 10-15 veins. Stalk is hairy and the underside may be. Younger leaves can be red in colour.
Reproductive Parts - Male Catkins. Fruits are nuts in hard cases, in clusters. Nuts attached to 3-winged 'leafets'.
Distribution - Common Hornbeam is found mostly in the south-east of the UK and centrally further north as far as south Scotland. It does grow in Ireland, to the east but it is not as abundant
Surroundings - Woodlands, hedgerows, and parks/gardens as planted ornamentally. Tolerant to clay soils.
Resources
- Firewood
- Dye - A yellow dye can be obtained from Hornbeam bark.