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Hornbeam: Crann Selamhain: Carpinus Bethulus.

Though Hornbeams are related to the Hazel family, its leaves might be confused with those of the beech, but have very prominent parallel veins and strongly toothed margins. It is an attractive tree and can reach 300m with steeply ascending branches and has a smooth greyish bark, sometimes fissured and always buttressed. Male flowers are short, greyish, feathery catkins. Female catkins are shorter, elongating in fruit to produce a 3-lobed wing. Formerly planted in demesnes and gardens, it has become naturalised mostly in the south end east.

Reputed to be as tough as horn but it is not flexible and consequently little used in carpentry. In former times, its principal use was for the actions in pianos, cogs and wooden screws.



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