Description
- Latin Name: Carpinus caroliniana
- Other Common Names: Hornbeam, blue beech, ironwood, water beech, musclewood
- Â Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Mature Height: Typically grows 20-35 feet (6-10 meters) tall with a spreading crown (Missouri Botanical Garden).
- Soil and Climate Preferences: Thrives in moist, rich soils in full sun to part shade, but also tolerates medium soils. Has a slow growth rate and develops a shallow, wide-spreading root system (Missouri Botanical Garden).
- Notes: Pruning is feasible for this tree. Bark is smooth and gray, with mature branches having a sinewy, muscle-like texture. In spring, both male and female flowers grow on catkins that are yellow-green. Male catkins are 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) long, while female catkins are about ½ inch (1 cm) long. Female flowers develop into small nutlets enclosed in 3-lobed bracts, each approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, hanging in clusters 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long. Leaves are elliptic to ovate, dark green, 3-5 inches (7-13 cm) long (Virginia Tech). Foliage turns yellow, orange, and red in fall. Wood is extremely hard; historically used for ox yokes, bowls, and handles (Missouri Botanical Garden). Commonly used in landscaping as a shade tree or hedge to attract deer and birds for nut consumption.
- Problems: Generally free of major issues but susceptible to cankers, twig blight, and leaf spots (Missouri Botanical Garden).
- Wildlife: Seeds, twigs, and buds of hornbeam are valued food sources for deer, turkeys, ducks, and squirrels. The tree thrives beneath larger trees, providing shelter and serving as host for bird nests.
.Cold Stream Farm supplies American Hornbeam trees which are grown as bare root seedlings and transplants and sold both wholesale and retail with no minimum order.
For more detailed information, refer to:
- Virginia Tech: Eastern Hophornbeam
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Carpinus caroliniana Details
Additional information on Carpinus caroliniana can be found on the link:Â USDA / NRCS PLANTS Database.
Mike –
Large root systems. The top is liable to not leaf out, but will shoot from the bottom and reach the original height by the end of the season. Like everyone says, be patient. Beautiful in leaf, bright yellow fall color, and the trunk is amazing. In full sun they want to get bushy, you’ll need to prune the lowest branches religiously to make a tree.