Description
C. caroliniana – American Hornbeam – Blue Beech – Ironwood – Musclewood – This spreading, occasionally shrubby tree from moist woodland and riverbanks in Eastern North America is capable of rapid growth to 40′ feet tall and 50′ feet wide, although is usually seen smaller then that.It has flutted, smooth, pale gray bark.It produces ovate, pointed, sharply (sometimes double) toothed, slightly glaucous, blue-green leaves, 5″ long, are rounded or heart shaped at the bases, turning yellow or red in autumn.Male catkins are yellow and to 1 ½” long.Mid green female catkins to 4″ long, are followed by racemes, 2-4″ long, of green fruit, maturing yellow-brown, with irregularly 3 lobed bracts, the central lobe is to 1″ wide.
Zones 4-9
