GeorgiaBonsai,
Rockm is right, they are understory trees. As such you need to find an area that hasn't been disturbed for a while. Abandoned pastures or areas that have recently been cleared usually do not, or no longer, have American Hornbeam. Areas that have large stands of mature oaks, hickory and maples usually do. When I have scouted new areas for American Hornbeam, I headed down towards water or where I expect water to be. Usually, I find them on the way down to water, but not in the wettest, lowest areas. This may have to do with the heavy red clay soils here in the Charlotte, NC area. Your results may vary. As Rockm stated, Beeches tend to be a little higher up then hornbeam, and are more easily identified as they usually still have their leaves remaining from last year. But, they are a good indicator species as they also tend to do best in undisturbed areas. I usually find native oaks, hickory, maple, dogwood and elm in the same areas as hornbeam. They tend to be in what I would describe as open woodlands. Areas that are really dense and have lots of thick, brambly undergrowth that is difficult to walk through usually do not have hornbeam. Again, your results may vary. Areas with naturalized privet tend to be too wet.
I normally do not find stands of large mature hornbeam, these tend to be few and far between. Normally, I encounter lots of young trees first. Once I begin finding the young trees, larger trees and a few big mature trees are normally close by. Identifying them this time of year is usually best done by looking for the grey, smooth, muscle-ly trunks, reddish twigs and small pointed alternate buds. Once you find mature trees, take a look around you and note the conditions (elevation from permanent water, terrain, indicator species, etc) as this will help you when you are evaluating new hunting grounds.
Good luck!
Martin
