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American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
TreeAmerican Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
Tap to flip backGrowing Conditions
Light
Part Sun – Shade
Water
Moist – Medium
Soil
Clay, Loam
Size
20-35'
Bloom
Green, Apr–May
Why Grow It
Winter Interest
Beautiful structure in the cold months
Shade Tolerant
Grows well in partial to full shade
Fall Color
Showy autumn foliage adds seasonal color
Did You Know?
Called "Musclewood" because the smooth bark reveals rippling, muscle-like ridges.
Wood is so incredibly hard it was used for tool handles, ox yokes, and bowls.
Fall color ranges from orange to scarlet red — one of the best native displays.
Wildlife Value
🐦
Songbird Habitat
Dense canopy provides excellent nesting sites for woodland songbirds
🐿️
Squirrel Food
Small nutlets are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, and wild turkey
Good Companions
🌸 Witch Hazel
🌿 Spicebush
⭐ Christmas Fern
Planting Guide
- Plant in part shade in moist, well-drained soil; tolerates clay
- Allow room for 20–35″ mature height and width
- Virtually maintenance-free; slow-growing but long-lived native tree
Plant Details
Made with ♥ by Lu Li