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A mature American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) growing in a residential garden bedFlowering Trees

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UnderstoryNaturalizedRiparianWoodlandButterflyChildrensNativePollinator

Data sources

American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

American Hornbeam is a slow-growing flowering tree, hardy in USDA zones 3-9, that matures to about 20-35 ft × 20-35 ft. It does best in part shade and full shade with medium water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-wet soil. Expect yellow and green blooms in winter. It attracts butterflies, pollinators and small mammals, stands up well to black walnut, dry soil and fire.

USDA zones
3-9
Sun
Part shade, Full shade
Water
Medium
Mature size
20-35 ft × 20-35 ft
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-wet
Bloom color
Yellow, Green
Bloom season
Winter
Attracts
Butterflies, Pollinators, Small mammals, Songbirds
Tough against
Black walnut, Dry soil, Fire, Wind, Pollution, Wet soil
Native to
Eastern North America

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score American Hornbeam’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

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