Heartleaf hornbeam (Carpinus cordata)
Also known as: Bigleaf hornbeam
The slow-growing heartleaf hornbeam is a deciduous tree whose timber is often used to make furniture and agricultural tools. Found in the wild on moist slopes, it is now cultivated in gardens as a hedge or screen. Heartleaf hornbeam is noted for its rough bark and heart-shaped leaves, which is thought to give rise to its common name.
In This Article
Attributes of Heartleaf hornbeam
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Tree
Plant Height
6 m to 9 m
Spread
3.5 m to 4.5 m
Leaf Color
Green in growing season, yellow in autumn
Flower Size
Not ornamentally significant
Flower Color
Yellow Green
Images of Heartleaf hornbeam
Quickly Identify Heartleaf hornbeam
1
Heart-shaped leaves, 2.5 to 5.5 inches long, hairy midribs, doubly serrated margins.
2
Distinctive male and female catkins, male 1-2 inches, female 3-5 inches long.
3
Cigar-shaped seedpod, 3-5 inches long, emerges from female catkins, contains oblong nutlet.
4
Brown to yellowish-brown smooth stems, slender, mature branches show smooth texture.
5
Gray to black-gray bark with scaly fissures, rugged texture changes with maturity, distinctive appearance.
Scientific Classification of Heartleaf hornbeam
Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Dicotyledons
Order
Fagales
Family
Birch
Genus
Hornbeams
Species
Heartleaf hornbeam
