A lovely shade tree suitable for most settings, American hornbeams are compact trees that fit the scale of the average home landscape perfectly. It has an irregular, wide spreading form that makes it a unique tree for the landscape. It has dark green leaves that change to yellow, orange and scarlet in fall. The European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is sometimes considered in some cultures as mystical, owing to its whitish, twisted trunk which branches profusely.The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is known as water beech or can have a blue-grey bark and is commonly identified as blue beech.The hornbeam is also sometimes called âironwoodâ because of its very hard ⦠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. The muscle-like bark is smooth, gray, and fluted. CT, MA, ME, The American Hornbeam has forest green foliage throughout the season. This tree has interesting reddish brown bark that is broken into narrow strips that are loose at both ends. The American Hornbeam grows in moist to wet soils and commonly occurs in swamps, along streams, and in wet bottomlands. Furlow. American hornbeam starts to produce fruit at the age of 15 years and continues until the age of 75 years. in 20 years). Fruit is arranged in dense, drooping clusters that can be seen from September to October. The smooth, slate gray bark adds winter interest. The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a versatile backyard tree with famously "muscular" bark and leaves that turn orange in fall. The leaves are alternate, 3â12 centimeters (1 â4â4 â4 in) long, with prominent veins giving a distinctive corrugated texture, and a serrated margin. The flowers are not ornamentally significant. American Hornbeam Musclewood. The 30â40 species occur across much of the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Sudworth Monoecious. The American hornbeam can be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub or as a single-stemmed tree. Our subspecies is Carpinus caroliniana Walt. Discover thousands of New England plants. to exist in the county by The flowers are not ornamentally significant. All images and text © The American Hornbeam is botanically called Carpinus caroliniana. The leaves turn dark green in summer and then come ablaze with shades of yellow and orange-red in fall. It can be found naturally in areas with moist soil including streambanks, riverbanks, and maritime forests. It will grow with an attractive open habit in total shade, but be dense in full sun. With the more recent arrival of several new cultivars which display some of the best characteristics of this species, an update on this tree is in order. We depend on The mature growth of this tree is around 25' tall x 25' wide. A handsome tree in many locations, the tree slowly reaches a height and spread of 20 to 30 feet. Figure 1. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall. FAC). Tolerates dry, shady sites. The fruit is a nutlet that resembles a hop like fruit from hop vine. Can you please help us? VCE Publications & Other Online Resources, https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/american-hornbeam, https://www.omaha.com/eedition/sunrise/articles/american-hornbeams-show-the-upsides-to-planting-native-trees/article_b6dbad4f-3daf-5372-a38c-39865a9db99f.html, http://treebaltimore.org/tree-of-the-season-american-hornbeam/#.Xh0wFoh7nX4, http://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2019/12/11/the-sinewy-american-hornbeam?rq=hornbeam, https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=h540, https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OSVI, https://www.uky.edu/hort/American-Hornbeam, https://campus.albion.edu/stowell-arboretum/musclewood-or-ironwood/, https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/carpinus-betulus, https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/hornbeam/, https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/pp/j, https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/hop_hornbeam.htm. It is also called ironwood for its very dense timber. Unlike other Hornbeams, the American species is tolerant of wet and clay soils and will also thrive in much more shade (although the growth is fastest in full sun). Copyright: various copyright holders. The American hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana, is an inconspicuous tree that I had much difficulty identifying.It is relatively unknown today but once it had important uses in everyday life. ; (Marsh.) The Tree is a deciduous tree, it will be up to 12 m (39 ft) high. Take a photo and ssp. Flower and fruit: Flowers are green catkins and bloom from April until June. Show the state. unintentionally); has become naturalized. A North American native tree boasting a kaleidoscope of color, American hornbeam unfurls striking reddish purple leaves in spring. Floodplain (river or stream floodplains), forests, shores of rivers or lakes, swamps, Occurs in wetlands or non-wetlands. var. 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). It will grow in heavy shade and wet soils. The smooth silvery blue bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. State documented: documented Go Botany: Native Plant Trust This tree grows throughout the eastern United States, westward to eastern Texas and Oklahoma, and in southeastern Canada. Furlow A mid size deciduous tree. The tree likes Sun to shade at the location and the soil should be fresh humus soils. in part by the National Science Foundation. Winter twigs are very fine reddish brown in color with three bundle scars. 1). The American Hornbeam is a slow growing, small tree that has a 'muscular' twist in the trunk. GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : American hornbeam is a native, deciduous small tree. Trunk . image, please click it to see who you will need to contact. Non-native: introduced The bark of this tree is smooth and bluish-gray in color (3). Many of the cultivars are selected for improved fall color or form. Plant in the spring. Hornbeams are hardwood trees in the flowering plant genus Carpinus in the birch family Betulaceae. For details, please check with your state. (Wetland indicator code: The American Hornbeam has forest green foliage throughout the season. Landscape Uses would be anything from a shade tree to hedge to attract deer and birds for nut comsumption.Wildlife: The Hornbeam seeds, twigs and buds are a valued food source for deer, turkeys, ducks and squirrels. It gets another common name, muscle tree, from the sinewy texture of its gray, fluted, smooth trunk. populations both exist in a county, only native status • The fruit of musclewood is actually a nut and is attached to hanging clusters of modified leaves. Carpinus caroliniana, commonly called American hornbeam, is a slow-growing, deciduous, small to medium-sized understory tree with an attractive globular form. Fruit is a 1/3-inch winged nutlet attached to three-lobed bracts. 2020 The Hornbeam (Ironwood) tree is a popular one among the many types of ironwood deciduous trees. American hornbeam (carpinus caroliniana) is a wonderful little understory tree, short enough to tuck into small spaces. Fruit of American hornbeam is oval-shaped, green, hairy samara equipped with wings. These modified leaves, formally known as bracts, typically appear between August and October (3). 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. 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 more narrow and upright than the European hornbeam. County documented: documented The bark ⦠All Characteristics, the flower includes only one cycle of petals or sepals, the fruit is a nut (dry and indehiscent, with a hard wall, usually containing only one seed and usually subtended by an involucre), the fruit is an achene (dry, usually 1-seeded, does not separate or split open at maturity), The base of the leaf blade is cordate (heart-shaped, with rounded lobes), the leaf blade is elliptic (widest near the middle and tapering at both ends), the leaf blade is oblong (rectangular but with rounded ends), the leaf blade is ovate (widest below the middle and broadly tapering at both ends), the twigs have hairs, but the hairs do not have glands. American Hornbeam1 Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2 INTRODUCTION A handsome tree in many locations, the tree slowly reaches a height and spread of 20 to 30 feet (Fig. Male flowers are 1 to 1½ inches long; female flowers are 2 to 3 inches long with three-lobed bracts. American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) View products; Showing the single result. It produces small clusters of tan hop-like fruit from early fall to late winter. American hornbeam is a small tree of bottomland understories. The American Hornbeam has forest green foliage throughout the season. The leaves are alternate with a doubly toothed margin. Spring foliage changes from crimson to green, then becomes deep green in summer. The fruit is a small 7â8-millimeter ( â32â â16-inch) long nut, parti⦠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 ⦠Carpinus betulus L. var. The American Hornbeam is one of the easiest hardwood trees to grow and thrives in a wider range of conditions than most other Hornbeam species. American Hornbeam or Musclewood. Also covers those considered historical (not seen The pointy leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall. you. Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam 20â² â 30â². NH, Hornbeam has alternate simple leaves, with fine teeth and tapering to a sharp point. American Hornbeam Fruit - Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University. To reuse an evidence (herbarium specimen, photograph). 1. American Hornbeam, Musclewood, or Ironwood, is a deciduous tree that may grow 30 to feet tall. It produces small clusters of tan hop-like fruit from early fall to late winter. VT. River banks, seepage swamps, riparian and deciduous forests. Being exceptionally dense and difficult to work, the wood is primarily used to fashion tough handles for striking implements like hammers. It usually grows 30 to 40 feet (9-12 m) tall [4,13,32,39].The bark is thin, close, and usually smooth. The Hornbeam grows throughout eastern North American, from Florida to Quebec, Louisiana north to Ontario It is also found in Texas, Arkansas, central and southern Mexico, Guatemala, Rub ⦠Difficult to transplant due to deep spreading lateral roots. Fern. those considered historical (not seen in 20 years). American Hornbeam is shade tolerant and perfect for spots which need a smaller tree but has shade. (intentionally or It produces small clusters of tan hop-like fruit from early fall to late winter. It is a native understory tree in forests in ⦠The flowers are not ornamentally significant. There are many different cultivars of American Hornbeam. Note: when native and non-native C. virginiana (Marsh.) N. American hornbeam. In the wild musclewood is an understory tree featuring distinctive muscle like trunk and branches. They resemble hops that beer is made from. virginiana Marsh. It is a member of the birch family and will have the male catkin flower buds present in the winter months. It will grow with an attractive open habit in total shade, but be dense in full sun. state. Exact status definitions can vary from state to Noteworthy Characteristics. to exist in the state, but not documented to a county within American Hornbeam Cultivars Carpinus caroliniana Native Flame ®, Palisade ®, Ball Oâ Fireâ¢, & Rising Fire ®. RI, American hornbeam is a small tree reaching heights of 10â15 meters (35â50 ft), rarely 20 meters (65 ft), and often has a fluted and crooked trunk. Walt. While the hornbeam tree sometimes bears the name of the ironwood tree, the two arenât always describing the same thing. Carpinus caroliniana Also covers The fruit is a triangular, seed-like nutlet, enclosed in a hard, woody, four-lobed husk covered with bristles. Ball OâFire is a more globular form ⦠The Go Botany project is supported 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 muscle-like bark is smooth, gray and fluted. Leaf: Simple, alternate, 2 to 5 inches long. Notes: Fruit of the Hornbeam is a cluster of nuts hanging from a leafy branch. is shown on the map. Found this plant? Young American Hornbeam. It is found throughout Ohio. The male and female catkinsappear in spring at the same time as the leaves. C. caroliniana Walt. The fruits are clustered on 3" to 6" long hanging stalks. virginiana (Marsh.) With progress, most of these uses have become obsolete and the American hornbeam has become a ⦠post Piedmont Master Gardeners, Sharing knowledge, Empowering communities. donations to help keep this site free and up to date for The small nuts are edible, but seldom used by humans. The bark is smooth and greenish-grey, becoming shallowly fissured in all old trees. The leaves are ovoid and the flowers are yellow-green. All rights reserved. Fruit: Small ribbed nutlet carried on a 3-lobed, slightly folded leafy bract that is 1 inch long (somewhat resembles a maple leaf), bracts are clustered on a long (4 to 6 inches) hanging stalk; ripen in late summer and fall, disperse through the winter. Your email address will not be published. Its strong wood and fluted ⦠a sighting. Squirrels, rabbits, and beaver eat the seeds, wood, and bark. virginiana The smooth silvery blue bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. In a Tree Profile over 10 years ago, I raved about the American hornbeam, Carpinas caroliniana and still feel the same today. 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]. The American hornbeam grows slowly, about 12â per year, reaching an average height and spread of 20-30â² over a life span of 50-150 years. Native Plant Trust or respective copyright holders. The smooth silvery blue bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape. Hardiness zone 4. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall. virginiana (Marsh.) The fruit is a small wingless, ribbed nut that is subtended by a 3-lobed leaf-like bract that is 9/10" to 1 1/5" long. ssp. the fruit is a nut (dry and indehiscent, with a hard wall, usually containing only one seed and usually subtended by an involucre) the fruit is an achene (dry, usually 1 ⦠Your help is appreciated. ; Of color, American hornbeam, musclewood, or ironwood, is slow-growing... That can be found naturally in areas with moist soil including streambanks, riverbanks, maritime!: documented to exist in the fall female flowers are yellow-green that may grow 30 to feet tall forest foliage. 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