Tree Profiles > How to identify a hornbeam tree
Wondering if you are looking at a hornbeam tree? Your clues are their leaves, buds, catkins and seeds. Here's what they look like at-a-glance:
Hello! In today's guide we are going to learn how to identify a hornbeam tree. Are you ready? Let's get started! Here are a few hornbeam facts:
Hornbeam trees can grow up to 30 meters tall, live for over 300 years and can be found growing in woodlands and sometimes in old hedgerows.
Hornbeam leaves are oval, with pointed tips, deep furrows and doubly serrated.
Their buds are thin, brown, slightly curved and lie close against the twig.
Male catkins are loose and scaly with dark points on each scale. The female flowers are fluffy and light pink.
Hornbeam seeds are small, cupped and surrounded by three-lobed papery wings.
Hornbeam leaf
Beech leaf
Beech leaves look similar to hornbeam leaves, but are larger, smoother and have smooth, wavy edges.
