American Hornbeam

American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
Height: 30 feet Spread: 25 feet Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade, full shade Hardiness Zone: 3b Other Names: Blue Beech, Ironwood, Musclewood, Water Beech
 
Description: The American Hornbeam is a beautiful and underused native woodland tree known for its distinctive gray bark, which is almost muscular in appearance and makes a strong winter statement. This tree offers an excellent blend of fall colors and curious hop-like fruit, making it a great small multipurpose shade tree.
 
Ornamental Features:
Foliage: Forest green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall.
Fruit: Produces small clusters of tan hop-like fruit from early fall to late winter.
Bark: Smooth silvery blue bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
 
Landscape Attributes:
Deciduous tree with a rounded form.
Average texture that blends into the landscape but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
Low-maintenance tree; best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed.
No significant negative characteristics.
 
Recommended Uses:
Accent
Shade
Naturalizing and Woodland Gardens
 
Planting & Growing:
Grows to about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet.
Low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, making it unsuitable for planting under power lines.
Grows at a slow rate and can live for 80 years or more under ideal conditions.
Thrives in both full sun and full shade.
Amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water.
May require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat.
Not particular about soil type or pH.
Somewhat tolerant of urban pollution.
This species is native to parts of North America.