In distinguishing similar leaf morphologies, Ostrya (Hophornbeams) have leaf veins that branch before reaching the doubly serrated leaf margins (as shown here), while Carpinus (Hornbeams) have leaf veins that remain unbranched. In both cases, the leaf bases are symmetrical, whereas Ulmus (Elms) have asymmetrical leaf bases (i.e., one leaf base dips lower than the other, with the petiole in-between).