Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam)

WILDLIFE:
The small nutlets that develop in clusters after flowering are a food source for birds and small mammals. The dense foliage offers excellent cover and nesting sites for birds. The tree also attracts various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, during its blooming period in spring.

FLOWERS:
Inconspicuous yellow-green catkins bloom in early spring, followed by clusters of small nutlets with papery bracts in the fall. These nutlets are consumed by wildlife, while the tree’s striking fall foliage adds seasonal interest.

STATS:
20 to 35 feet high / Lifespan: up to 100 years or more.

LANDSCAPE:
Prefers moist, well-drained soils and thrives in full shade to part sun. Its attractive, smooth, gray bark and striking fall colors make it a popular choice for naturalistic landscapes, understory plantings, and shaded areas near streams or ponds. One common name for this tree is Musclewood, which refers to the rippled trunk of mature trees.