Hornbeam, American

Carpinus caroliniana

Height: 20-35ft
Spread: 25-40ft
Zone: 3-9
Exposure: Full sun to full shade
Growth Rate: Slow
Bloom Time/Color: N/A
Fall Color: Yellow/orange
Uses: Specimen, naturalizing, street tree
Maintenance: Low
Tree Shape: Globular
Other: Attractive seeds, fall color

American hornbeam is a native understory tree that thrives in shaded, moist conditions. It is valued for its globe-like architecture, adaptability, and reliability. After catkins appear in spring, clusters of chartreuse winged nutlets form under elliptical dark green leaves. By autumn, nutlets fade to brown and the foliage turns shades of yellow, red, and orange. American hornbeam is clay tolerant, does well under black walnuts, and has little to no pests or disease.

Carpinus caroliniana is an Iowa native.