Hornbeam Hornbeams are deciduous trees, usually with smooth, gray bark.
Imbricate buds have many scales.
Leaves are alternate and doubly toothed. Flowers are monoecious and borne in catkins. Fruit is a nutlet subtended on a bract. Species Buds are usually of two distinct sizes and somewhat angled. Side veins of the leaves are unbranched and run straight to the teeth on the margins.