It is an understory tree that rarely grows much higher than 20 feet in the wild and often grows in clumps of several trunks. pH: 4.0 - 7.4 Native range: Eastern United States Other: Prefers shaded, moist soils. Family: Betulaceae. Left to grow naturally your tree will develop a beautiful form, with attractive bark and a dense, rounded crown. Click here, then click on your county either on the map or from the list of counties below it. The American hornbeam is a native forest understory tree in the Chicago area, making it useful for shady landscapes and naturalized or woodland gardens. Ornamental Features. A beautiful and underused native woodland tree; very interesting gray bark is almost muscular in appearance, makes a strong winter statement; also excellent blend of fall colors and curious hop-like fruit; good small multipurpose shade tree. N-318 Ag Sciences Center University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40546-0091, Fax (Lexington): 859-257-2859       (Princeton): 270-365-2667, For questions about home gardening, landscaping or commercial horticulture production, please contact your county extension agent. As the American hop hornbeam matures, the shreddy bark develops into thin vertical strips, only slightly shredding at the ends. GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : American hornbeam is a native, deciduous small tree. General Information. Scientific name: Carpinus caroliniana Pronunciation: kar-PYE-nus kair-oh-lin-ee-AY-nuh Common name(s): American hornbeam, blue-beech, ironwood Family: Betulaceae USDA hardiness zones: 3A through 9A (Figure 2) Origin: native to the majority of the eastern United States, southeast Quebec, and southwest Ontario UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: native Call 1-800-392-1111 to report poaching and arson. Hornbeam - Confidence Genus: Carpinus. Ironwood is considered one of Illinois' toughest native hardwoods and is not only ornamental but resistant to many disease and insect problems. Source: Commons An American Hornbeam growing in its native environment. A mid size deciduous tree. History and Origins of the American Hornbeam. A handsome tree in many locations, the tree slowly reaches a height and spread of 20 to 30 feet. For undergraduate student information regarding the Sustainable Agriculture program, contact Dr. Krista Jacobsen at (859) 257-3921, or krista.jacobsen@uky.edu. American hornbeam, also known as musclewood or blue beech, is a small, slow-growing understory tree native to hardwood forests of the eastern US and Canada. American hophornbeam, which loves hilly areas, has papery capsules containing nuts that are eaten by a variety of wildlife including grouse, bobwhite, deer, pheasant, rabbit and turkey. It can be found naturally in areas with moist soil including streambanks, riverbanks, and maritime forests. The bark is another feature used to distinguish between these two birches. It has many common names, the most common include: blue beech because of its very smooth gray bark, and musclewood referring to its muscle-like branches which are irregularly fluted. It is a tree that should be planted more in Nebraska and utilized as an understory tree or a specimen tree as it grows well in both sun and shade. Finches, ruffed grouse and wild turkeys eat American hornbeam nutlets. The muscle-like bark is smooth, gray, and fluted. It usually grows 30 to 40 feet (9-12 m) tall [4,13,32,39].The bark is thin, close, and usually smooth. It is used for fence posts, fuel, and tool handles. This tree has interesting reddish brown bark that is broken into narrow strips that are loose at both ends. In fall, the American hornbeam displays leaves of various colors, ranging from yellow to scarlet to reddish-purple. Ornamental Features. The combination of trunk and bark should separate this tree from the American Hornbeam, with which it has shared an unusual history of confusion in common names. The leaves turn dark green in summer and then come ablaze with shades of yellow and orange-red in fall. The smooth sinewy blue-gray trunk of American hornbeam easily contrasts with the shreddy, brownish, grooved bark of the American hop hornbeam. Its sinewy, smooth gray bark adds real interest, and the leaves are attractive in summer and fall. The tree's look is enhanced by its crooked trunk and pendulous, zig-zagging branches, which help attract wildlife. Twigs are slender, gray or red, zigzag, with small buds. This tree brings interest to the winter landscape, too, by displaying blue-gray bark with a slightly rippled appearance that earned the common name musclewood. Also, it is planted as an ornamental, especially on wet sites. The seed is eaten by birds, including bobwhite and wild turkey, and the catkins and buds are a primary food source for ruffed grouse. The American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is native to America, occurring naturally from Minnesota to Maine and south to Florida and east Texas. Finches, ruffed grouse and wild turkeys eat American hornbeam nutlets. The smooth, gray, muscular-looking bark of American hornbeam is attractive year-round. Leaves are simple, alternate, 2–5 inches long, 1–2 inches wide, with upper surface bluish green, dull; undersurface paler, mostly smooth, or with hairs in vein axils only, margins with small sharp teeth. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. Hop_Hornbeam_bark_Maramec_Spring_6-4-17.jpg Hop Hornbeam Bark The bark of hop hornbeam is thin, reddish gray, with tight, narrow, platelike scales; some trees have loose, shreddy scales. In the wild musclewood is an understory tree featuring distinctive muscle like trunk and branches. Plant narrow, upright trees in groups to create a living screen or windbreak. American hornbeams (Carpinus caroliniana) are by far the most popular of the hornbeams grown in the U.S. Another common name for this tree is blue beech, which comes from the blue-gray color of its bark. It is fractured into narrow scales, which are loose at their ends. Source: Commons Shippable Sizes. It should be transplanted balled-and- burlapped in the spring. Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam 20′ – 30′. American hornbeam, which is native to Illinois' woodlands, attains heights of 25 to 40 feet when mature. Proper maintenance and … It will grow with an attractive open habit in total shade, but be dense in full sun. American Hornbeam is shade tolerant and perfect for spots which need a smaller tree but has shade. “Wood” is a type of tissue made of cellulose and lignin that many plants develop as they mature — whether they are “woody” or not. New leaves emerge reddish-purple, changing to dark green, then turn yellow to orange-red in the fall, offering a kaleidoscope of color throughout the year. American hornbeam is more difficult to transplant than European hornbeam. American Hornbeam, usually called Ironwood in North Carolina, is a fairly common understory tree found mostly along streambanks. A beautiful and underused native woodland tree; very interesting gray bark is almost muscular in appearance, makes a strong winter statement; also excellent blend of fall colors and curious hop-like fruit; good small multipurpose shade tree. Eastern hophornbeam has loose strips of reddish brown to gray creating a rough, "clawed" bark. This deciduous, medium-sized tree matures to 40-60’ tall and 30-40’ wide at a growth rate of about 12-24” per year. Hornbeam Varieties. The tree is perhaps best known for its smooth and sinewy steel-gray bark and the muscle-like look of its maturing trunk and larger branches (thus one of its common names). For graduate student information, contact Dr. Doug Archbold at 859-257-3352, or darchbol@uky.edu, American Hornbeam - Carpinus carolinianaBirch Family (Betulaceae). virginiana (Marshall) Fernald, and the southern var. caroliniana. American Hornbeam Musclewood. Difficult to transplant due to deep spreading lateral roots. The hoplike, green fruits are composed of many bladderlike scales, each bearing a small, flat nut. Deer browse this tree's twigs and foliage. Shrubs are less than 13 feet tall, with multiple stems. Both of the two recognized varieties occur in NC, the northern var. American hornbeam is a tall shrub or small tree, to 35 feet tall, with pendulous branches and a gray trunk that is fluted into musclelike ridges. The leaves are alternate with a doubly toothed margin. A North American native tree boasting a kaleidoscope of color, American hornbeam unfurls striking reddish purple leaves in spring. It is a native understory tree in forests in … Noteworthy Characteristics. American Hornbeam is shade tolerant and perfect for spots which need a smaller tree but has shade. Noteworthy Characteristics Carpinus caroliniana, commonly called American hornbeam, is a slow-growing, deciduous, small to medium-sized understory tree with an attractive globular form. American Hornbeam Musclewood. Hornbeam encourages us to be confident and to flex our muscles, physically and intellectually. Height: 20’ - 30’ Spread: 20’ - 30’ Shape: Round, spreading Site preference: Rich, moist soils Zone: 3b - 9a Wet/dry: Prefers moist soil, but will tolerate some intermittent drought. American hornbeam is a common indicator plant of Missouri’s upland forests. Blue beech’s official name is American hornbeam without the “hop.” Its bark looks very different: smooth, blue-gray and muscular. It is a small tree with a smooth, light colored, "muscled” bark and alternate, deciduous leaves. Ironwood is a tough understory tree with beautiful birch-like leaves, grayish-brown flaky bark, fine-textured drooping branches, and attractive hop-like fruits. Musclewood deserves to be planted more widely as a shade tree. Both young and aged bark … Bark of the trunk of this tree is light brown in color. American hornbeam, which is native to Illinois' woodlands, attains heights of 25 to 40 feet when mature. The trunk is often crooked, and is usually coarsely fluted, resembling a flexed muscle [4,7,13].The fruit is a ribbed nutlet 0.16 to 0.24 inch (4-6 mm) long [3,4]. Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam 20′ – 30′. Ornamental Features. Light: Part shade Hardy To Zone: 3b Soil Ph: Can tolerate acid to neutral soil (pH 5.0 to 7.4) Moisture Tolerance: Occasionally saturated or very wet soil; Consistently moist, well-drained soil; Occasional periods of dry soil See graphic below It is a native understory tree in forests in the Eastern half of the U.S. and southernmost Canada. American Hornbeam is a great tree for Nebraska because it was selected as the 2016 Great Plants for the Great Plains Tree of the Year. virginiana (Marshall) Fernald, and the southern var. This gives the trunk a shredded look. European hornbeam has a curved bud. american_hornbeam_carpinus_caroliniana.jpg, Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants. American hornbeam is a common indicator plant of Missouri’s upland forests. Send mail to cgcass0@uky.edu with questions about this site. Mammals ranging from rodents and rabbits to fox and deer browse the seeds, bark, wood, and twigs. In the wild musclewood is an understory tree featuring distinctive muscle like trunk and branches. Uses The wood of hop hornbeam is hard and durable. Hornbeam, Carpinus butulus is also referred to as ironwood or musclewood, because of its smooth bark and… American Hornbeam is also known as Ironwood, Blue Beech, and Musclewood. Tolerates dry, shady sites. Still, the wood is hard and tough and is used in making tool handles and small wooden articles. Excellent tree for naturalized landscapes. There are no sharp dividing lines between trees, shrubs, and woody vines, or even between woody and nonwoody plants. An Equal Opportunity University. Excellent tree for naturalized landscapes. American hornbeam has a straight bud. Carpinus caroliniana, commonly called American hornbeam, is a slow-growing, deciduous, small to medium-sized understory tree with an attractive globular form.It is native to Missouri where it is typically found in rich moist woods, valleys, ravine bottoms and rocky slopes along streams throughout the eastern and Ozark regions of the state (Steyermark). The American Hornbeam has forest green foliage throughout the season. Both of the two recognized varieties occur in NC, the northern var. Found nearly throughout the state, except for the northern and eastern sections where trees cover less of the landscape. These plants can ordered online and shipped directly to you or picked up at the nursery. American Hornbeam Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is an attractive small tree that is common, but not abundant in its natural range. caroliniana.They are quite similar and many of the trees in the overlap range (such as in Durham County) are intergrades. Great Places to See American Hornbeam (Musclewood). American Hornbeam is also known as Ironwood, Blue Beech, and Musclewood. A beautiful and underused native woodland tree; very interesting gray bark is almost muscular in appearance, makes a strong winter statement; also excellent blend of fall colors and curious hop-like fruit; good small multipurpose shade tree. Left to grow naturally your tree will develop a beautiful form, with attractive bark and a dense, rounded crown. However, hornbeam trees can develop cankers, or dead sections on the bark or branches. The bark … It is also a great food choice for wildlife found in the area. Ironwood has a slow growth rate and is reportedly difficult to transplant from a field nursery (although 10-inch-diameter trees were moved with a 90-inch tree spade during the winter in USDA hardiness zone 8b with … Bark is smooth, tight, thin, bluish gray, sometimes blotched, fluted into muscle-like ridges, hence the other common name, “musclewood.”. For general undergraduate student information, contact Dr. Rick Durham at (859) 257-3249, or rdurham@uky.edu. Vines require support or else sprawl over the ground. In fall, the American hornbeam displays leaves of various colors, ranging from yellow to scarlet to reddish-purple. Fruit in long, hanging clusters of paired 3-lobed bracts (modified leaves), with each pair of bracts having a nutlet at its base. It is a small tree with a smooth, light colored, "muscled” bark and alternate, deciduous leaves. American hornbeams (Carpinus caroliniana) are by far the most popular of the hornbeams grown in the U.S. Another common name for this tree is blue beech, which comes from the blue-gray color of its bark. It is found in north-facing bluffs, rich woods at bases of bluffs, rocky slopes along streams, ravine bottoms, low wooded valleys, and moist woodlands. Flowers April–May; in catkins, with male and female on the same twig. The American hornbeam is extremely resistant to both pests and diseases, so problems rarely arise. The smooth, gray, muscular-looking bark of American hornbeam is attractive year-round. The largest known American hornbeam in the U.S. is 69 feet tall and 2½ feet in diameter. The attractive bark on a young American Hornbeam Source: Commons An attractive mature tree in the wild. American hornbeam typically comes from nurseries as a single-stem tree. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. The American Hornbeam has forest green foliage throughout the season. The fruit is a small 7–8-millimeter ( ⁄32– ⁄16-inch) long nut, parti… The American Hornbeam has forest green foliage throughout the season. Copyright 2020, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The tree's look is enhanced by its crooked trunk and pendulous, zig-zagging branches, which help attract wildlife. The American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is native to America, occurring naturally from Minnesota to Maine and south to Florida and east Texas. History and Origins of the American Hornbeam. American Hornbeam or Musclewood. The shape of the bud is an identifying difference between the American hornbeam and the closely related European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). The university does not review, control or take responsibility for the contents of those sites. A native tree with striking bark, it can be used in a naturalistic garden. American hornbeam has hard, spherical fruit hanging under leaf-like, 3-lobed bracts. It is found in north-facing bluffs, rich woods at bases of bluffs, rocky slopes along streams, ravine bottoms, low wooded valleys, and moist woodlands. And they can present with leaf scorch or leaf spots. Most cultivars of American hornbeam are columnar in shape when they are young, then develop a pyramidal shape as they age. This earned it the … Plant in the spring. American hornbeam is a native, large shrub or small tree with a wide-spreading, flat-topped crown, the stems are slender, dark brown, hairy; bark gray, thin, usually smooth, with smooth, longitudinal fluting (resembling a flexed muscle). The American hornbeam is also occasionally known as blue-beech, ironwood, or musclewood, the first from the resemblance of the bark to that of the American beech Fagus grandifolia, the other two from the hardness of the wood and the muscular appearance of the trunk, respectively. It is located in Ulster County, New York. American Hornbeam, usually called Ironwood in North Carolina, is a fairly common understory tree found mostly along streambanks. This site was last updated on December 18, 2020. Environmental Characteristics. Hornbeam wood is the hardest of any European trees. Unlike the Eastern Hophornbeam, the wood of the American Hornbeam decays rapidly when in contact with soil. The Eastern Ironwood, known also as the American Hophornbeam, Eastern Hop-hornbeam, Hophornbeam, Ironwood, or Leverwood, stretches over much of the Eastern United States with its attractive foliage and bell-like inflorescences. American Hornbeam or Musclewood. The leaves are alternate, 3–12 centimeters (1 ⁄4–4 ⁄4 in) long, with prominent veins giving a distinctive corrugated texture, and a serrated margin. Because it is exceptionally strong and hard, the wood has been made into golf clubs, handles, fuels, cogs, levers, wedges, and more. Trees are woody plants over 13 feet tall with a single trunk. A native tree with striking bark, it can be used in a naturalistic garden. Be sure to come in the summer to admire its attractive yellow-green color and festive white flowers. A mid size deciduous tree. American Hornbeam. The male and female catkinsappear in spring at the same time as the leaves. Hop-hornbeam, any of about seven species of ornamental trees constituting the genus Ostrya of the birch family (Betulaceae), native to Eurasia and North America.A hop-hornbeam has shaggy, scaling bark and thin, translucent, green leaves with hairy leafstalks. Find local MDC conservation agents, consultants, education specialists, and regional offices. Ironwood is considered one of Illinois' toughest native hardwoods and is not only ornamental but resistant to many disease and insect problems. WARNING: Some websites to which these materials provide links for the convenience of users are not managed by the University of Kentucky. Like the American hornbeam, trunks have smooth gray bark and distinctive muscle-like fluting. American hornbeam is a small tree reaching heights of 10–15 meters (35–50 ft), rarely 20 meters (65 ft), and often has a fluted and crooked trunk. American Hornbeam, Musclewood, or Ironwood, is a deciduous tree that may grow 30 to feet tall. 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