European Hornbeam                kar-PI-nus BET-u-lus

• Deciduous tree, 40-60 ft (12-18 m), pyramidal in youth, oval-round at maturity.  Leaves alternate, simple, ovate-oblong, 5-13 cm long, sharply and doubly serrate, veins straight, impressed above [10(12)-14(18) pairs], dark green in summer, yellowish in fall.  Male and female flowers in separate clusters (catkins) on the same tree.  Female flowers have conspicuous 3-lobed bracts.
• Best in full sun, tolerates light shade.  Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well-drained soil.  No serious pests or diseases.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 4    Native to Europe, Asia Minor, southeast England.
• Corvallis: east side of St. Mary's Catholic Church on 23rd St. between Tyler and Polk.