Timberpedia - Hornbeam

Hornbeam

Latin Name:Irish Name:Native to Ireland?
Carpinus betulusCrann SleamhainNo

About the Tree

A close relation of the hazel famous for its pendulous catkins, the hornbeam is not indigenous to
Ireland and was generally planted from the 17th century as ornamental singletons or hedgerows.

The hornbeam tolerates clipping more than most and may be interlaced to form a tunnel. The tree
can live for 300 years. 

About the Wood

The wood from hornbeam is hard and it’s hardness has lent it to use for carving boards, tool handles, coach wheels and other situations where a very tough, hard wood is required. Hornbeam timber is also used in the manufacture of pianos and harps.

Carpinus betulus - Hunsrück 001 Tree in summer
CarpinusBetulusBark Bark of a mature tree
Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' Dublin P1310089 Hornbeam trees lining the streets of Dublin
About the TimberPedia

Know your wood! The Timberpedia is a broad resource that aims to catalogue all the major tree species in Ireland, containing information that we’ve gathered from over two decades maintaining our natural woodland and serving Ireland’s woodworking industry.

All written material is copyright © 2021 by the Lisnavagh Timber Project.

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