SYLVICULTURAL NOTES ON HORNBEAM. 237 



2. HORNBEAM Carpinus Betulus (L.). 

 a. Utility. 



The hard and heavy wood is an excellent fuel, and it 

 yields good charcoal. The timber is very tough, and is 

 used in machinery by the millwright, for wheels, and a 

 variety of other purposes. Specific gravity of air-dried 

 wood *72. The ashes are ri6h in potash. The leaves 

 yield good fodder. 



b. Distribution. 



It is found in temperate Europe up to the 60th degree 

 of latitude. Indigenous in England ; planted in Scotland 

 and Ireland. Goes up to 1,200 feet in the Harz moun- 

 tains, and to about 3,000 feet in the Alps ; generally 

 a tree of the low lands and low hills. 



c. Locality. 



Climate. The Hornbeam requires only a moderate tem- 

 perature, and thrives even in cold moist localities un- 

 suited for Beech. It is one of the most frost-hardy species, 

 but rather tender as regards summer heat. It stands a 

 considerable amount of shade, but not so much as Beech. 



It seems to require a moderately moist atmosphere, 

 and prefers north and east aspects. It is to some extent 

 liable to be thrown by wind, but resists snow and rime 

 fairly well. 



Soil. Hornbeam likes a soil which is fairly loose, of 

 at least middling depth, thoroughly fresh if not 

 moist, and minerally rich. As regards moisture, it 



