European Hornbeam

European hornbeam is native to Europe, Asia Minor and southeastern England. The species is most dominant in southeastern England and western France where the trees typically grow in sandy woods. Hornbeam refers to the dense, horn-like wood, and the use of the wood to make beams and ox-yokes. European Hornbeams are excellent in groupings around large buildings and also useful as screens, hedges and windbreak trees. It has densely textured foliage and handsome, slate-gray smooth to fluted bark. The dark green leaves turn an attractive yellow in the fall and the bark and buds are ornamental in winter. They are fast growing, up to 10 feet in 10 years.