European hornbeam
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
At a glance
Scientific nameCarpinus betulus
Trade / common nameEuropean hornbeam
FamilyBetulaceae
RegionWestern Europe · Northern Europe · Eastern Europe
Distribution
South East England, Thames Valley and locally South Wales and Somerset. Also temperate Europe and Asia Minor. Prefers low lying rich soils or clays and is shade tolerant. Can be coppiced or pollarded and is good for hedges.
Uses
Bearings & bushings, Billiard-cue butts, Brush backs & handles, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Drum sticks, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery, Machinery parts, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Musical instruments: piano, Musical instruments: strings, Organ pipes, Parquet flooring, Piano keys, Pianos , Pulley sheaves, Sounding boards, Sporting Goods, Sub-flooring, Textile equipment, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Violin bows, Violin, Wheel spokes, Wheels, Xylophones
Countries & Distribution
These country connections come directly from the same SQL country–species bridge used by Country Detail and the Global Navigator.
Wood images
Linked historical images associated with this species record.
European hornbeam
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
European hornbeam
Captured from the historical species datasheet.
Projects & Inspiration
Explore possible applications, then tell Woodley what you are interested in making.
Project images are illustrative inspiration, not species-identification photographs. Suitability should be checked against the species data and project requirements.
Bearings & bushings, Billiard-cue butts, Brush backs & handles, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Drum sticks, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery, Machinery parts, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Musical instruments: piano, Musical instruments: strings, Organ pipes, Parquet flooring, Piano keys, Pianos , Pulley sheaves, Sounding boards, Sporting Goods, Sub-flooring, Textile equipment, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Violin bows, Violin, Wheel spokes, Wheels, Xylophones
What would you like to make?
Tell Woodley what you have in mind. Woodley can help explore whether European hornbeam is suitable and guide the next steps.
Project guidance can build on this species record, its properties and documented uses.
Appearance
Heartwood color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
Brown
Red
White
Yellow
Purple
Orange
White to cream
Greenish to greyish
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
With green streaks
Sapwood Color
Historical source observations are shown separately; differences may reflect source, geography, test condition or publication.
White
Yellow
Brown
Red
Not clearly differentiated from the heartwood.
Luster
Low
Lustrous
Uses & Applications
Common Uses
Bearings & bushings, Billiard-cue butts, Brush backs & handles, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Drum sticks, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture, Joinery, Machinery parts, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Musical instruments: piano, Musical instruments: strings, Organ pipes, Parquet flooring, Piano keys, Pianos , Pulley sheaves, Sounding boards, Sporting Goods, Sub-flooring, Textile equipment, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Violin bows, Violin, Wheel spokes, Wheels, Xylophones
Product Sources
The timber is commercially available from Europe, especially from France.
Full Technical Species Profile
The public profile includes identification, distribution, linked imagery and selected public-facing species information. Sign in to use your membership access. The complete technical record is available with an eligible paid membership.
Protected technical content includes physical and mechanical properties, working and drying characteristics, durability data, detailed technical observations, references and methodology.