American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) 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