Side veins of the leaves are unbranched and run straight to the teeth on the margins. Teeth at the ends of the veins are larger than the teeth between the veins. Trunks are usually twisted and fluted. The American hornbeam is known also as musclewood, ironwood, and blue-beech. Hornbeam is found along streams and in low ground throughout the state as a forest understory tree.
Side veins of the leaves are unbranched and run straight to the teeth on the margins.
This characteristic separates American hornbeam from the hophornbeam that has similar foliage. Teeth at the ends of the veins are larger than the teeth between the veins. Leaf margins are doubly toothed. Foliage resembles that of the black or sweet birch, but is smaller. Buds are usually of two distinct sizes and are somewhat angled.