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. pH: 4.0 - 7.4 Native range: Eastern United States Other: Prefers shaded, moist soils. This site was last updated on December 18, 2020. Be sure to come in the summer to admire its attractive yellow-green color and festive white flowers. For undergraduate student information regarding the Sustainable Agriculture program, contact Dr. Krista Jacobsen at (859) 257-3921, or krista.jacobsen@uky.edu. This deciduous, medium-sized tree matures to 40-60’ tall and 30-40’ wide at a growth rate of about 12-24” per year. The fruit is a small 7–8-millimeter ( ⁄32– ⁄16-inch) long nut, parti… In fall, the American hornbeam displays leaves of various colors, ranging from yellow to scarlet to reddish-purple. Left to grow naturally your tree will develop a beautiful form, with attractive bark and a dense, rounded crown. Most cultivars of American hornbeam are columnar in shape when they are young, then develop a pyramidal shape as they age. The American Hornbeam has forest green foliage throughout the season. Eastern hophornbeam has loose strips of reddish brown to gray creating a rough, "clawed" bark. 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 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). It is a native understory tree in forests in … Site design : Academic Web Pages. 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. American Hornbeam is also known as Ironwood, Blue Beech, and Musclewood. American Hornbeam, usually called Ironwood in North Carolina, is a fairly common understory tree found mostly along streambanks. 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). Both of the two recognized varieties occur in NC, the northern var. The American hornbeam is a native forest understory tree in the Chicago area, making it useful for shady landscapes and naturalized or woodland gardens. Mammals ranging from rodents and rabbits to fox and deer browse the seeds, bark, wood, and twigs. “Wood” is a type of tissue made of cellulose and lignin that many plants develop as they mature — whether they are “woody” or not. The American Hornbeam has forest green foliage throughout the season. 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 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. Trees are woody plants over 13 feet tall with a single trunk. American hornbeam, which is native to Illinois' woodlands, attains heights of 25 to 40 feet when mature. 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. Flowers April–May; in catkins, with male and female on the same twig. Ornamental Features. Hornbeam - Confidence Genus: Carpinus. American Hornbeam, usually called Ironwood in North Carolina, is a fairly common understory tree found mostly along streambanks. American hornbeam typically comes from nurseries as a single-stem tree. The American hornbeam is extremely resistant to both pests and diseases, so problems rarely arise. caroliniana. American Hornbeam Musclewood. American Hornbeam Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is an attractive small tree that is common, but not abundant in its natural range. American hornbeam is more difficult to transplant than European hornbeam. Uses The wood of hop hornbeam is hard and durable. Excellent tree for naturalized landscapes. The bark is smooth and greenish-grey, becoming shallowly fissured in all old trees. 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. 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. Both young and aged bark … A mid size deciduous tree. There are no sharp dividing lines between trees, shrubs, and woody vines, or even between woody and nonwoody plants. Finches, ruffed grouse and wild turkeys eat American hornbeam nutlets. In the wild musclewood is an understory tree featuring distinctive muscle like trunk and branches. It is an understory tree that rarely grows much higher than 20 feet in the wild and often grows in clumps of several trunks. virginiana (Marshall) Fernald, and the southern var. And they can present with leaf scorch or leaf spots. caroliniana.They are quite similar and many of the trees in the overlap range (such as in Durham County) are intergrades. 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 … Like the American hornbeam, trunks have smooth gray bark and distinctive muscle-like fluting. WARNING: Some websites to which these materials provide links for the convenience of users are not managed by the University of Kentucky. The American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is native to America, occurring naturally from Minnesota to Maine and south to Florida and east Texas. For graduate student information, contact Dr. Doug Archbold at 859-257-3352, or darchbol@uky.edu, American Hornbeam - Carpinus carolinianaBirch Family (Betulaceae). The American Hornbeam has forest green foliage throughout the season. Hornbeam Varieties. 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. Family: Betulaceae. It is a native understory tree in forests in the Eastern half of the U.S. and southernmost Canada. American hornbeam is a common indicator plant of Missouri’s upland forests. Deer browse this tree's twigs and foliage. Finches, ruffed grouse and wild turkeys eat American hornbeam nutlets. Ironwood is a tough understory tree with beautiful birch-like leaves, grayish-brown flaky bark, fine-textured drooping branches, and attractive hop-like fruits. American Hornbeam is shade tolerant and perfect for spots which need a smaller tree but has shade. The bark and inner wood was used to treat toothache, sore muscles, coughs, and many other ailments by American Indians. Found nearly throughout the state, except for the northern and eastern sections where trees cover less of the landscape. 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. 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. Call 1-800-392-1111 to report poaching and arson. 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. Bark of the trunk of this tree is light brown in color. It is a small tree with a smooth, light colored, "muscled” bark and alternate, deciduous leaves. The leaves are alternate with a doubly toothed margin. As the American hop hornbeam matures, the shreddy bark develops into thin vertical strips, only slightly shredding at the ends. The muscle-like bark is smooth, gray, and fluted. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. Fruit in long, hanging clusters of paired 3-lobed bracts (modified leaves), with each pair of bracts having a nutlet at its base. Blue beech’s official name is American hornbeam without the “hop.” Its bark looks very different: smooth, blue-gray and muscular. It can be found naturally in areas with moist soil including streambanks, riverbanks, and maritime forests. A North American native tree boasting a kaleidoscope of color, American hornbeam unfurls striking reddish purple leaves in spring. 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. 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. 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. 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. The hoplike, green fruits are composed of many bladderlike scales, each bearing a small, flat nut. This gives the trunk a shredded look. 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. Both of the two recognized varieties occur in NC, the northern var. Its sinewy, smooth gray bark adds real interest, and the leaves are attractive in summer and fall. It is also a great food choice for wildlife found in the area. It is used for fence posts, fuel, and tool handles. American Hornbeam is shade tolerant and perfect for spots which need a smaller tree but has shade. It will grow with an attractive open habit in total shade, but be dense in full sun. GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : American hornbeam is a native, deciduous small tree. Difficult to transplant due to deep spreading lateral roots. A mid size deciduous tree. 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 Musclewood deserves to be planted more widely as a shade tree. Hornbeam, Carpinus butulus is also referred to as ironwood or musclewood, because of its smooth bark and… It usually grows 30 to 40 feet (9-12 m) tall [4,13,32,39].The bark is thin, close, and usually smooth. Vines require support or else sprawl over the ground. March 11, 2016 Carpinus caroliniana. Plant narrow, upright trees in groups to create a living screen or windbreak. This tree has interesting reddish brown bark that is broken into narrow strips that are loose at both ends. The male and female catkinsappear in spring at the same time as the leaves. The bark is another feature used to distinguish between these two birches. Proper maintenance and … Plant in the spring. American Hornbeam is also known as Ironwood, Blue Beech, and Musclewood. It should be transplanted balled-and- burlapped in the spring. 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. These plants can ordered online and shipped directly to you or picked up at the nursery. 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. It is located in Ulster County, New York. The largest known American hornbeam in the U.S. is 69 feet tall and 2½ feet in diameter. American Hornbeam. The American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is native to America, occurring naturally from Minnesota to Maine and south to Florida and east Texas. The leaves turn dark green in summer and then come ablaze with shades of yellow and orange-red in fall. Source: Commons Shippable Sizes. A handsome tree in many locations, the tree slowly reaches a height and spread of 20 to 30 feet. 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. American hornbeam, which is native to Illinois' woodlands, attains heights of 25 to 40 feet when mature. A native tree with striking bark, it can be used in a naturalistic garden. The smooth, gray, muscular-looking bark of American hornbeam is attractive year-round. It is a small tree with a smooth, light colored, "muscled” bark and alternate, deciduous leaves. Great Places to See American Hornbeam (Musclewood). Excellent tree for naturalized landscapes. Ornamental Features. Because it is exceptionally strong and hard, the wood has been made into golf clubs, handles, fuels, cogs, levers, wedges, and more. Source: Commons An American Hornbeam growing in its native environment. A native tree with striking bark, it can be used in a naturalistic garden. American Hornbeam or Musclewood. American Hornbeam or Musclewood. Ironwood is considered one of Illinois' toughest native hardwoods and is not only ornamental but resistant to many disease and insect problems. american_hornbeam_carpinus_caroliniana.jpg, Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants. Left to grow naturally your tree will develop a beautiful form, with attractive bark and a dense, rounded crown. American Hornbeam, Musclewood, or Ironwood, is a deciduous tree that may grow 30 to feet tall. Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam 20′ – 30′. In the wild musclewood is an understory tree featuring distinctive muscle like trunk and branches. 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