As hard as nails

Known as ironwood thanks to its ability to blunt saws, the densely muscular hornbeam is often overlooked and frequently misidentified

- Vicky Liddell

IN the middle of ancient woodlands, in the company of venerable oaks, the hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) can live for up to 300 years if left undisturbed, growing into an elegantly shaped tree. When pollarded, hornbeams can live even longer, taking on increasingly wild and anarchic shapes.

The tree’s dense musculature is menacing and, as it ages, its pale-grey trunk becomes fluted.

The hornbeam is a member of the Betulaceae family and was one of the last trees to arrive in Britain before rising sea levels cut us off from mainland Europe after the last Ice Age. Planted specimens may be seen all over the country, but their native range is the South and East of England in heavy clay soils. The name is derived from the strength of its timber: ‘horn’ meaning hard and ‘beam’ a tree in old English.

Confusion over the tree’s identity probably stems from its similarity to the beech tree, which often accompanies it, but, when examined closely, there are key differences. Where beech leaves are glossy with wavy edges, hornbeam leaves are matte green with deeply etched, almost pleated veins and a distinct toothed edge. The hornbeam is also a much smaller tree, up to 98ft, with a more symmetrical appearance and a distinctive conical crown, like a playing card spade.