Adopt or gift a European hop-hornbeam tree

Scientific name: Ostrya carpinifolia
Common name: European hop-hornbeam
The European hop-hornbeam belongs to the Betulaceae family, not the same as the white hornbeam. Its trunk grows straight and an elongated, collected crown starts from there. It can reach 15 meters in height. The bright green leaves have an oval shape and a serrated edge. To distinguish European hop-hornbeam from white hornbeam, the fruits are key. These are very light green achenes, collected in clusters. We often encounter this species in oak and turkey oak forests, being a Mediterranean-mountain species. It prefers dry and sunny soils of calcareous slopes, up to 1200 m. It is a pioneer plant, that is, it is able to grow on difficult soils resulting from fires, landslides and deforestation. In doing so, it prepares the ground for more demanding trees and jump-starts reforestation.

Its scientific name comes from the Greek word ‘ostrya,’ meaning oyster. It refers to the shape of the inflorescences that enclose the seeds, as in a shell.

It endures air pollution, which is why we also encounter it in city hedges. It is easy to maintain, as it tolerates disease and external attacks.