Carpinus caroliniana - American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana - American HornbeamSizes available: TBD, coming in 2026 Basics: zones 3 9, 20 35' x 20 35', part to full shade, the male catkins bloom green and the female catkins bloom white in the early spring on the same tree. The pollinated female flowers develop into clusters of attractive nutlets, likes medium moist to moist soils that are nutritious and well drained, prefers not to dry out and can deal with seasonal inundation, clay tolerant Common names: American Hornbeam,

Sizes available: TBD, coming in 2026

Basics: zones 3-9, 20-35' x 20-35', part to full shade, the male catkins bloom green and the female catkins bloom white in the early spring on the same tree. The pollinated female flowers develop into clusters of attractive nutlets, likes medium-moist to moist soils that are nutritious and well-drained, prefers not to dry out and can deal with seasonal inundation, clay tolerant

Common names: American Hornbeam, Musclewood, Blue-beech, Ironwood, Muscle Beech, Water Beech

Family: Betulaceae

Origin/Distribution: Found in Minnesota and southern Quebec east to Mainland south to eastern Texas and northern Florida. Native to Maine.

Habitat: This is an understory tree of low-lying hardwood forests, ravine bottoms, shady swamp edges, stream banks, and river banks

More: More coming soon.

Source: sown at Honey Petal Plants with seed from Toadshade Wildflower Farm

Image credits: The young tree and botanical illustration from Wikimedia Commons; Close up of trunk from Katja Schultz, Fall color from Wendy Cutler, both through Creative Commons via the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox