The main differences between beech and hornbeam
- size
- leaves
- fruit
- tribe
- Toxicity
- Site conditions
Hornbeams don't get that big
Beeches grow up to 40 meters high. Hornbeams remain significantly smaller at 25 meters. They can often be found under beeches in the forest, where they shade the beech trunk.
also read
- What are the special features of a beech?
- Hornbeam or red beech - what are the differences?
- How high is the growth of a beech per year?
Beech and hornbeam can be distinguished by their leaves and fruits
Beech leaves are slightly grooved and only slightly sawn on the edge. They turn orange-yellow in autumn.
Hornbeam leaves are coarser, heavily grooved and serrated. You feel older. The hornbeam leaves turn golden yellow in autumn.
Hornbeam fruits are green and grow in the form of grapes, while beechnuts are brown and stand solitary.
The differences in the tribes
The trunks of the young trees are still relatively similar. Later, a beech can be recognized by its very smooth, light gray trunk. Hornbeam trunks are brownish and much more cracked.
The wood of the beech is slightly reddish and turns red under steam. Hornbeam wood is almost white and much harder than beech wood. This has also given the tree the names white beech or stone beech.
Beech fruits are poisonous, but hornbeam nuts are not
Hornbeams do not contain any toxins, not even in their fruits. The leaves of the beech trees are non-toxic, but the nuts are not. They can cause symptoms of poisoning in humans and animals.
This difference plays an essential role if a new tree is to be planted in the area of children playing or grazing animals.
Hornbeams also thrive in unfavorable locations
Beech trees need a nutritious, slightly moist but loose and sunny to partially shaded location. Hornbeams are much more robust and also thrive on sandy soils in the shade.
Larger beech populations therefore mainly grow in southern Germany, while hornbeams are more common in the north.
Tips
In terms of care and cutting ability, hornbeam and beech do not differ from each other. Both trees are excellent hedge plants with beautiful fall foliage. The leaves of both trees stay on the tree for a long time.
