Carpinus caroliniana (ironwood)

The American hornbeam, also known as ironwood or musclewood, is an underutilized small deciduous tree that deserves a place in more gardens. Grows 15–25' tall in part to full shade in areas with medium soil moisture. It often has a fluted and crooked trunk. The bark is smooth and greenish-grey, becoming fissured in all old trees. Male and female catkins appear in Spring at the same time as the leaves. The fruit is a small, long nut (9/32–5/16-inch) that matures in autumn. 

The American hornbeam is native to eastern North America from Maine south to northern Florida. It occurs naturally in shaded areas with moist soil, particularly near the banks of streams or rivers. Deer browse the foliage and twigs, while game birds eat the nutlets. Host plant for various butterfly species including the eastern tiger swallowtail and moth species including the American dagger moth and the banded tussock moth. 

Ironwood was Adkins Arboretum's Native Tree of the Year in 2023!

BONAP Native Range Map (bright green indicates county native, dark green indicates state native)  

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