Carpinus Betulus
AKA European Hornbeam, Common Hornbeam
Common Hornbeam, also known as European Hornbeam or Carpinus Betulus, is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winning tree ideal for large garden and parkland settings. They are shade-loving trees, closely related to hornbeam. It has serrated, ribbed leaves, a distinctive grey-fluted trunk and produces catkins in late spring. Foliages takes on a beautiful hue of clear yellow in the autumn. A British native, Carpinus Betulus produces finely-grained timber well-suited for making skittles, mallets or even the moving parts in pianos. Tolerant of chalky or clay soils, it is a useful choice for sites with poor planting conditions.