This Korean Hornbeam tree was acquired by the Krohn Conservatory in 2017 when it was donated by Bonsai Society member D. Brown. 

It is a three-tree grouping style. The pot is hand made by Sara Rayner and is round, unglazed, brown in color and is 5 inches deep.

Korean Hornbeam is a rapidly growing deciduous large shrub or small tree native to Asia.  It has multiple trunks with a flat-topped to round dense form, pendulous maroon branches, and tiny leaves.  It works well as a specimen in an Asian themed garden and is often used as a bonsai plant.  Plant it near a maple tree to highlight the contrast between small and large leaves. It is tolerant of drought, wind, and urban conditions including paving.  The hardness of hornbeam timber gave it the common name ironwood, as it would blunt saws quickly.

In folklore, the hornbeam is a symbol of strength due to its hard, sturdy wood. It was once believed that tonics made from hornbeam leaves could cure fatigue and exhaustion.