American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

Size: 3, 7 ,& 15 Gallon Availability

Tree
Max size: 30′ tall x 30′ wide
Average Size: 25′ tall x 25′ wide

Very Moist, Usually Moist, Moist to Dry
Clay, Loam, Sand
Part Shade, Full Shade
No salt tolerance

AKA: Musclewood, Blue Beech, Ironwood

The American Hornbeam is a deciduous tree, with an orange fall color. It has inconspicuous blooms in the spring and its fruit is not edible. It is moderately resistant to deer but sensitive to drought, heat, transplanting, and compaction. It is best suited to be planted as an understory tree in moist soils where it can be left to mature. It is a larval host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Red-spotted Purple butterflies while the seeds and buds of this tree provide food for songbirds, ruffed grouse, quail, wild turkeys, foxes, and squirrels. Beavers and rabbits can be seen enjoying the inner bark of young specimens.

 Historically useful for woodwork, including poles, shipbuilding, and furniture work, because the wood rarely splits or cracks. On a smaller scale it was once used to make bowls, tool handles, and more. Commercial use is not practical due to the small size of the tree and limited wood produced.