A slow-growing tree with a funnel-shaped crown when young. Later the main trunk splits and side branches grow out widely so that the crown becomes more rounded. Eventually it can attain a width of more than 12 m. The short trunk is grey-brown, grooved and flakes off in small plates. The trunk becomes steadily darker in older trees. Young twigs are bare and olive-green. The ovoid to oval leaves have a double serrated edge and turn yellow in autumn. Ostrya produces abundant flowers in the form of yellowish-green male catkins approximately 4 - 6 cm long and unremarkable female flowers in small ears. Once fertilised the latter turn into fruit resembling a hop and are approx. 6 cm long. Likes a warm and sheltered site and grows in any soil, even very dry soils.
Ostrya carpinifolia môže dorastať do výšky 14 - 16 (20) m v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Ostrya carpinifolia rastie priemerne rastúci a môže dorastať do výšky 14 - 16 (20) m v závislosti od podmienok stanovišťa a klímy.
Listy stromu Ostrya carpinifolia sa na jeseň sfarbia do žltá."
Správny čas na výsadbu stromu je mimo vegetačné obdobie. V strednej Európe môže byť Ostrya carpinifolia so zemným balom vysadený od polovice novembra do konca apríla, avšak závisí to veľmi od klimatických podmienok a druhu stromu.