Variations 
var. fargesii   Chinese Hornbeam
This small tree and grows to 10 m tall by 8 m at wide with ascending branches that form a rounded crown. It has find deeply veined leaves that are plum colour when the young maturing to dark green and produces long pendant catkins during spring. 

It prefers an open sunny to partially shaded position and grows on most well-drained moderately fertile moist soils. It is an ideal plant from small garden or a woodland setting and is used for screening along borders.

var. pendula
This small deciduous tree has a short trunk with upright arching branches and pendant branchlets forming a narrow domed habit.

var. macrostachya  Loose-flowered Hornbeam
This rare tree has a solitary or multiple trunks from the base with uprights spreading branches that form an open rounded crown. It differing from the species by having an open flowering habit, hence its common name.