The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: weeping European hornbeam

Family: Betulaceae (birch family)

Distribution: Species native to Europe and w. Asia

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous tree

Comments: One of several weeping selections from Europe and of old time cultivation that is capable of reaching 30' tall and twice as wide, however, usually much smaller, less than 20' tall and wide. Young twigs reddish-brown, strongly pendent, old wood light gray. Foliage is a handsome medium green, 2½-5" long, tips pointed and margins coarsely toothed. In the fall, leaves take on a yellow color. Flowers are monoecious, male types in 2" long catkins and female types forming leafy, 3 lobed fruits with a ¼" nutlet enclosed.