The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: oriental hornbeam

Family: Betulaceae (birch family)

Distribution: s.e. Europe and s.w. Asia

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous tree

Comments: A slow-growing, rounded deciduous tree to 20' tall and wide. Foliage somewhat fine-textured with oval-shaped leaves. Fruit is an achene enclosed in a leafy bract. Fall color is yellow at best. Branches form a characteristic "U" shape from trunk, making an interesting winter effect.