Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus, are small to medium-sized deciduous trees. The leaves have a very distinctive serrated margin with a fine toothed edge, ranging in length from 3 to 10 cm. The leaves turn golden yellow to brown in autumn and most of the leaves stay on throughout the winter.

The bark is a pale grey. When fruits are pollinated on the hornbeam, they appear in a small nut about 3–6 mm long and eventually fall to the ground. Hornbeam is a very useful screening tree and an excellent hedge. Preferred soil is any moist but well drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Expect your tree to grow at a rate of 30cm – 60cm each year with mature trees reaching a height of 30 meters.