Hornbeam withstands heavy pruning and shearing. It prefers deep, fertile, moist, acidic soil and grows best in partial shade, but will grow in full sun. The leaves are ovoid and the flowers are yellow-green. Ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, and northern bobwhite eat small quantities of the seeds, buds, and … The tree likes Sun to shade at the location and the soil should be fresh humus soils. American hophornbeam is a small deciduous understory tree growing to 18 m (59 ft) tall and 20–50 centimetres (8–20 in) trunk diameter. Buds, Leaves, and Global Warming Project Tree Species, http://www.flickr.com/photos/8518482@N07/521973153, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpinus_caroliniana. It is a member of the birch family, Betulaceae and is an understory tree, growing to only about 30’ in height. Note the passing similarity of the buds to those of Beech. It is not drought-tolerant. Not unlike the buds of beech, hornbeam buds are long and slender but close to the stem. Cottontails, beaver, and white-tailed deer eat the leaves, twigs, and larger stems. Blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana), also called musclewood or American hornbeam, is a small, slow-growing tree, native to Minnesota and the eastern U.S. I posted about this once before in collecting, but figured I'd give it a thread for tracking progress. American hornbeam is also known as blue-beech, and musclewood. On June 7th I decided to cut this American Hornbeam bonsai back and start making some decisions. Photo by Robert Ferraro. will only copy the licensed content. If you are one of the Young American Hornbeam. Maintenance Practices . many people to use it to make mallet heads, tool handles, levers, bowls and dishes, and . Ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, and northern bobwhite eat small quantities of the seeds, buds, and catkins. Cottontails, beaver, and white-tailed deer eat the leaves, twigs, and larger stems. Hornbeam is often described as the hardiest, heaviest and toughest of woods. TRADITIONAL AND MODERN USES. Expand. of major economic importance due to its . European hornbeam has a curved bud. The reference to muscle relates to the tree's characteristic fluted trunk and branches that look like muscle tissue. American Hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana, is also called Blue Beech, Ironwood, Musclewood, and Water Beech. It is a member of the birch family and will have the male catkin flower buds present in the winter months. Hop hornbeam gets its name from its fruits, which are enclosed in scales that loosely resemble the hops used in making beer (Humulus lupulus). Seeds, buds, or catkins are eaten by a number of songbirds, ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasants, bobwhite, turkey, and fox and gray squirrels. The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a deciduous hardwood shade tree that's native to eastern North America.It is part of the Betulaceae (birch) family and has several nicknames, including blue beech, muscle beech, water beech, muscletree, musclewood, and ironwood. Below are images of the tree when as soon as I got home with it. It is native to eastern North America, from Minnesota and southern Ontario east to Maine, and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida. 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. American hornbeam is an important food of gray squirrels in southern bottom-land hardwoods; otherwise it is of secondary importance to wildlife (25). Facts. 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. Carpinus caroliniana are called "musclewood," "ironwood," or "American Hornbeam" interchangeably. Young American Hornbeam. They are 2 to 4 inches long, half as wide, and taper to a point at the tip. native to Canada down through Texas across to Florida; hardy to zone 3 ; Habit and Form. The leaf base is rounded and attached to slender and hairy petioles which may be ½ inches long. 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 The smooth trunk has a sinewy or muscular appearance and divides into slender, slightly pendulous branches. American Hornbeam is also occasionally known as blue-beech, ironwood, or musclewood. Mature trees can reach a height of 30m and live for more than 300 years. Hornbeam May 2020. It is called blue beech due to the smooth, gray-blue bark and it is called musclewood due to the muscle-like branches, which have irregular grooves throughout. 20. In backyard gardens, you may find warblers, nuthatches, and finches coming to dine. It is not drought-tolerant. wood does not split or crack) has driven . other small, hard, wooden objects. American Hornbeam in Allegany Co., Maryland (5/9/2016). It seldom reaches 12 m, although some trees in the southern United States may grow to 18 m tall. Carpinus caroliniana are called "musclewood," "ironwood," or "American Hornbeam" interchangeably. It gets another common name, muscle tree, from the sinewy texture of its gray, fluted, smooth trunk. In more rural areas, ruffed grouse, bobwhites, and turkeys are fans. In Minnesota, it is found in the understory in forests of maple, basswood, oak, cherry and white birch. 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. Establishment American hornbeam is planted in landscapes and naturalized areas. Although the wood of the hornbeam is not . This small, short-lived tree is common in the understorey of rich, moist woods. I couldn’t resist the nice twin-trunk structure and the trunk character, especially the rugged bark. It is a member of the birch family and will have the male catkin flower buds present in the winter months. of major economic importance due to its . Beavers, deer and cottontails will eat the leaves and twigs. One of my favorite and best bonsai trees for beginners is the American hornbeam, or Carpinus Caroliniana. American Hornbeam blooming in Montgomery Co., Maryland (4/17/2016). The twigs are brown-grey and slightly hairy and the leaf buds are similar to beech, only shorter and slightly curved at the tips. American Hornbeam Fruit - Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University. Native to the eastern half of the United States, the American hornbeam is commonly found in wooded areas as an understory tree in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. The leaves are ovoid and the flowers are yellow-green. Winter twigs are very fine reddish brown in color with three bundle scars. Squirrels, rabbits, and beaver eat the seeds, wood, and bark. ... Another very cool thing about Carpinus carolinana especially at this time of year is that they have pseudo-terminal buds. Beavers use the hornbeam for dam building as they are readily available in their habitat. Plant in the spring. The leaf base is rounded and attached to slender and hairy petioles which may be ½ inches long. (27) American Hornbeam: 18. In more rural areas, ruffed grouse, bobwhites, and turkeys are fans. 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