THE HORNBEAM OR BLUE BEECH 



THIS tree owes its name of Hornbeam to the exceeding hardness of the wood, 

 which led the early settlers to call it "the Horne-bound tree. " It owes its other 

 common name, Blue Beech, to the striking resemblance between the bark of 

 the young trees and that of the beech, it having, however, a slightly bluish color which 

 furnishes the defining adjective. In summer the leaves bear a general resemblance to 

 those of the Hop Hornbeam, being slightly thicker in texture and more slender in form. 

 In early autumn, however, the difference between the foliage of the two trees is very strik- 

 ing. While the leaves of the Hop Hornbeam change to a clear yellow color those of the 

 Hornbeam change to a brilliant orange-red or deep crimson. 



Throughout the summer and autumn the curious fruits are likely to be found upon 

 the trees and serve at once to identify it. As will be seen by reference to the picture, these 

 consist of small nut-like objects clustered at the base of long triangular bracts that form 

 a distinctive involucre. 



The Blue Beech blossoms in April or May, the pollen-bearing and the seed-bearing 

 flowers being produced in different catkins upon the same tree. The pollen-bearing cat- 

 kins are borne along the sides of the branches rather than at the tip, as is the case with 

 the Hop Hornbeam. During the winter they are enclosed in large buds two or three times 

 the size of the leaf-buds. In habit of growth the tree is low and spreading, seldom attain- 

 ing a diameter of more than a foot or a height of more than thirty feet. On most trees 

 there are projecting ridges running vertically along the trunk which give it a character- 

 istic appearance. The tree is likely to be found in damp places and in low woods, especially 

 along the margins of swamps or slow-running streams. On account of the interesting 

 character of the trunk and branches, and the beautiful coloring of the autumn foliage, it 

 may be planted to advantage for landscape effects throughout its range, which covers 

 practically the entire eastern region of North America. It is propagated from seed, and 

 is especially likely to flourish where there is abundance of moisture. 



The European Hornbeam (Carpinus Betulus) is an equally interesting tree. The 

 wood has been utilized for many centuries for making ox-yokes and other domestic articles, 

 while the living trees have been planted for hedges, arbors, and various formal garden 

 purposes. This species seems also to grow naturally in the shade of taller trees and in 

 damp situations. 



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