Hornbeam, any of about 25 species of hardy, slow-growing ornamental and timber trees constituting the genus Carpinus of the birch family (Betulaceae), distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The hop-hornbeam (q.v.) is in a different genus of the birch family. A hornbeam has smooth, grayish bark, a short, fluted trunk, and horizontally spreading branches. It differs from other trees in the birch family in that male catkins are not formed until the spring in which they mature. A leaflike, three-lobed husk surrounds each fruit, a nutlet about 1 cm (1/2 inch) long. The egg- or lance-shaped alternate leaves may remain on the tree into winter.
The European hornbeam (C. betulus) has a twisted trunk that branches profusely; the tree may grow to 20 m (65 feet). One variety bears normal and oaklike leaves on the same tree. The American hornbeam (C. caroliniana) is also known as water beech and blue beech, the latter for its blue-gray bark. It seldom reaches 12 m, although some trees in the southern United States may grow to 18 m tall. The smooth trunk has a sinewy or muscular appearance and divides into slender, slightly pendulous branches. The egg-shaped, bronze-green leaves, up to 10 cm long, are white haired when unfolding; they are blue-green at maturity and become scarlet or orange-yellow in autumn. Because of its hard, heavy wood, the American hornbeam is commonly called ironwood. C. cordata, an Asian species, usually 15 m tall, has heart-shaped leaves up to 15 cm long. In the Japanese hornbeam (C. japonica), the downy leaves are reddish brown when unfolding; the smaller Korean hornbeam (C. eximia), usually 9 m tall, has egg-shaped, slender-pointed, downy leaves.
The European hornbeam has a whitish, tough wood that is used in agricultural implements. The tree is a common ornamental in hedges and covered walks of Old World gardens and is often pruned into strange shapes. The American hornbeam is less popular as an ornamental; it requires partial shade and wind protection.
