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hornbeam Definition

horn·beam (hôrn′bēm′)

noun

  1. any of a genus (Carpinus) of small, hardy trees of the birch family, with smooth, gray bark and drooping catkins with flat, papery bracts around a greenish nut
  2. the very hard, white wood of this tree, which takes a hornlike polish and is used for tool handles, etc.

Etymology: horn + beam

hornbeam Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • include: Hedgerow species are mixed and include hornbeam, field maple, holly, elm and some bracken to the small plateau area.

Adjective modifier

  • European: The European hornbeam is a very common nursery grown landscape tree.
  • coppiced: Dering Wood in Kent mainly consists of coppiced hornbeam which is thought to be an ideal nesting habitat for the birds.

Modifies a noun

  • coppice: What to see: Hornbeam coppice woodland with mature oaks.
  • hedge: The hornbeam hedge behind it stands a little higher, like piping on the edge of fabric.
  • woodland: What to see: Hornbeam coppice woodland with mature oaks.
  • tree: There are some fine old hornbeam trees in the wood - grown out of coppice for charcoal making.
  • pollard: Other species can be less massive, such as old hornbeam pollards, field maples or holly.
  • plant: The hornbeam plant is best trimmed at this time of year as it's prone to bleeding if pruned in spring or summer.

Noun used with modifier

  • hop: The Slovenian Forest Service first reported damage to hop hornbeam in 1997.