Carpinus is a genus of 35 to 40 species of deciduous trees from woodland areas in Europe, Asia and North America. They have alternate, prominently veined, entire or toothed leaves. The leaves are a mid-green through the growing season before turning a bright yellow or red in autumn, the leaves remain hanging on the tree throughout winter. Carpinus species have silvery-purple fluting of the bark which helps identify it from Fagus species/Beech. Though slow starters they become very vigorous growers. Hornbeams prefer long growing seasons with hot summers however their leaves burn if not given some protection from the sun at the height of summer.

Carpinus koreana or Korean Hornbeam is renowned for its very small leaves and much ramified growth pattern. It is a slow to medium growth rate specie and adapt very well to bonsai. Its autumn colours are unique as its leaves can have the yellow, red and orange colours all at once. A leaf can literally be one half red and one half yellow. This botanical phenomenon of the leaves makes the colours appear in stripes delimited by the veins. A must have!