Carpinus betulus L.

A tree that loses its leaves. It can grow 30 m high. It spreads 5 m across. The trunk is erect and stout. The bark is fluted and smooth and grey. The leaves are oval and taper to the tip. The leaves are 10 cm long and have a double set of teeth around the edge. There are hairs on the veins under the leaf. The male flowers are catkins. The female catkins hang down and are 14 cm long. The fruit are small nuts enclosed in a small cone.

Broadleaved or mixed forestsd and hedgerows, it is co-dominant with Quercus iberica in broad leaved forests in Western Asia, usually on sandy or clay loams, but preferring heavier soils; at elevations up to 1,000-1,200 metres

The sap is used for a drink. The young leaves are used as a snack.

Plants can be grown by seeds, root suckers or by layering.