WSU Clark County Extension
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American Hornbeam

Scientific name: Carpinus caroliniana
Taxonomy
Family:Betulaceae
Type:Deciduous tree
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:3 to 9
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:30 ft
Width:30 ft
Bloom:Spring flowers
Bloom Time:April to May
Bloom Color:Yellow
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description American hornbeam, also known as ironwood or blue-beech, is a small, slow-growing deciduous tree native to the under-story forests of the eastern United States.

  Morphology:
American hornbeam features shiny, dark foliage with simple leaves that are 2.5”- 5” long arranged in an alternate fashion. In the fall the leaves turn a very pleasing yellow or orange color. As the tree matures, it forms a spreading, multi-stemmed shape with crooked or drooping branches. The bark is grey in color and smooth, though ridged, resembling the muscles of a flexed arm.

This is a flowering tree. Male flowers consist of 1”-2” long, slender yellow-green catkins. Female flowers consist of fuzzy yellow green catkins which are .5”-.75” long. In the fall these morph into small ribbed nutlets, enclosed in a 3-lobed bract.

  Adaptation:
American hornbeam does best on rich sites though is adaptable to a wide array of conditions.

  Pests:
Considered pest free.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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