Carpinus betulus

Planted: 1914

This tree is in the centre of the island.

Distribution:	Native of Europe and Asia Minor, indigenous to the south-east and east of England.
Planting Date:	1914
Growth Habit:	Mature trees are rounded or with elongated head and the ends of the branches pendulous. Pyramidal when young.
Bark:	Grey and often fluted.
Leaf:	Oval or inclined to ovate 4 to 9 cm long and 2 to 5 cm wide. Sharp pointed at the apex unequally or double toothed. Dark green with underside downy at first. Turning yellow in Autumn.
Flowers:	Male catkins 4 cm long
Fruit:	Female catkins 4 to 8 cm long. With large 3 lobed bracts produced in pairs with an ovate ribbed nut at the base, 6 mm long.
Toxicity:	Not known
Potential tree size:	15 to 25m
Uses:	Timber is hard, almost bony, valued in furniture making. The hardest, heaviest and toughest of our native woods. Useful for hedging – retains leaves until spring.
Plant Hunter:	Native
Introduction Date:	Native