How to distinguish hornbeam from hophornbeam? The town where I live plants both hornbeam trees ( _Carpinus betulus_ ) and hophornbeans ( _Ostrya carpinifolia_ ) as street trees. How can they be reliably distinguished, especially when there is no fruit on the tree? The fruit is different but the leaves are very similar. To be clear, this question is about the European-native species, not American ones.

Both plants like similar mesic conditions and so can be found in similar locations. However, these plants are actually very easy to tell apart using only a few easily observable characteristics*.

Bark:

* _Ostrya_ is peely/shreddy brown

* _Carpinus_ is smooth and grey. The bark almost looks sinewy, leading to its much better common name: muscle wood.




Leaves are both doubly serrate and similar in size. However, leaf texture is different:

* _Ostrya_ is finely hairy. Best to feel with lips (more sensitive) when 1st getting used to difference.

* _Carpinus_ is smooth (glabrous) and even somewhat papery like _Fagus_.



* now, if I could only remember which one had the _hop_ in its name! (this is why I stick to scientific names :p)



I'll update with sources soon.