virginiana (Marshall) Fernald, and the southern var. Also in this family is the somewhat related Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). The seed is eaten by birds, including bobwhite and wild turkey, and the catkins and buds are a primary food source for ruffed grouse. Ornamental Landscaping Difficult to transplant due to deep spreading lateral roots. 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. Leaves are alternate, simple, blades 2½â4½ inches long, 1½â2½ inches wide, broadest at or below the middle; margin sharply and densely toothed; base often uneven; upper surface yellowish to dark green, dull; lower surface paler, hairy. Firespire® American Hornbeam, commonly known as Upright Musclewood, was introduced in the early 90s by Michael Yanny of Johnsonâs Nursery, Inc. Leaves are simple, alternate, 2â5 inches long, 1â2 inches wide, with upper surface bluish green, dull; undersurface paler, mostly smooth, or with hairs in vein axils only, margins with small sharp teeth. The American hop hornbeam is often confused with the American hornbeam. Landscapers generally prefer trees that show faster results. Introduction: A fine-textured tree that is related to the birches, American hornbeam is the only North American native of the genus Carpinus. 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 muscled appearance of the trunk and limbs. This deciduous shade tree yields small nuts that attract wildlife. Tolerant of periodic flooding and slightly acidic soils. Uses The wood of hop hornbeam is hard and durable. Hornbeam or blue-beech is a common tree in our forests, and it also appears in many parks and gardens. It is an understory tree that rarely grows much higher than 20 feet in the wild and often grows in clumps of several trunks. Size/Form: Hornbeam is a small to medium tree that reaches heights of 15' to 25'. Both trees are ⦠A third native tree, American hop hornbeam, Ostrya virginiana, will also be described. Hornbeam grows in moist, fertile soils of bottomland hardwoods on the edges of swamps, streams, and rivers. The Plants Database includes the following 2 subspecies of Carpinus caroliniana . The trees mentioned in this article (Hornbeam and Hophornbeam) are in the birch family. Tree Identification Field Guide. The trunk and branches of this tree have ridges that look like muscles. This tree grows throughout the eastern United States, westward to eastern Texas and Oklahoma, and in southeastern Canada. Carpinus caroliniana Walter â American hornbeam. american_hornbeam_carpinus_caroliniana.jpg, Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants. Easily grown in average, medium moisture soil in part shade to full shade. Birch Family (Betulaceae) Introduction: American hophornbeam is a small understory tree of well-drained, deciduous forests that thrives on neglect. Carpinus caroliniana, commonly called American hornbeam, is a slow-growing, deciduous, small to medium-sized understory tree with an attractive globular form. Shrubs are less than 13 feet tall, with multiple stems. Subordinate Taxa. Leaves are simple, alternate, 2â5 inches long, 1â2 inches wide, with upper surface bluish green, dull; undersurface paler, mostly smooth, or with hairs in vein axils only, margins with small sharp teeth. Phone: (207) 287-3200 Fax: (207) 287-2400 It is the upland equivalent to hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). Description: The Eastern Ironwood, known also as the American Hophornbeam, Eastern Hop-hornbeam, Hophornbeam, Ironwood, or Leverwood, stretches over much of the Eastern United States with its attractive foliage and bell-like inflorescences. Mammals ranging from rodents and rabbits to fox and deer browse the seeds, bark, wood, and twigs. It too is a member of the Betulaceae family, belonging to the genus Ostrya, a genus of eight to ten small deciduous trees. The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a deciduous hardwood shade tree that's native to eastern North America. Be sure to use them in naturalized areas. This species really prevents light from hitting the forest floor. Find local MDC conservation agents, consultants, education specialists, and regional offices. Because it is exceptionally strong and hard, the wood has been made into golf clubs, handles, fuels, cogs, levers, wedges, and more. 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