Japanese Hornbeam Carpinus japonica

Japanese Hornbeam is a small to medium-sized, slow-growing, deciduous, understory tree. The tree grows up to 20-30 feet tall in cultivation and up to 50 feet tall in its native habitat. It is stately and sturdy with attractive foliage and ornamental catkins. The numerous pairs of deep veins on each leaf make the foliage distinctive. This tree serves well as an understory tree because of its tolerance to heavy shade. The Japanese Hornbeam is a member of the Betulaceae or Birch family.

The tree is native to central and southern Japan and was introduced in 1895.

The genus name, Carpinus, is Latin for "hornbeam." The species name, japonica, references its place of origin. The common name, Hornbeam, is derived from "horn," meaning hard, and "beam", meaning tree in Old English.

Japanese Hornbeam is a low-maintenance tree and prefers partial shade to full shade. It will tolerate full sun. It is also tolerant of a wide range of soil types. This plant is propagated by seeds, softwood cuttings, or grafting.

The bark is grayish-brown and has shallow furrows. The leaves are dark green, simple, and ovate to oblong in shape, with rounded or slightly cordate bases. They have prominent veining that gives the leaf a quilted appearance. The margins are doubly toothed. The flowers are male and female yellowish-green colored catkins.  The male catkin has narrowly ovate pointed scales. The female catkin is slender with overlapping bracts that are toothed and ovate. Flowering occurs in spring. The female catkin produces a small roundish brown nutlet from late summer to fall. 

Japanese Hornbeam has a graceful form and attractive foliage. This plant would add interest to a lawn or as a low-maintenance understory tree. 

Insects Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

This tree has no serious pests or disease issues. Caterpillars and aphids may be seen. Powdery mildew, leaf spots, cankers, and twig blight can occur.