Hornbeam, American (Musclewood), Bare Root

American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)

Also known as Musclewood for its smooth, sinewy, blue-gray bark, American Hornbeam is a small, slow-growing native tree prized for its understory tolerance, wildlife benefits, and striking form. Naturally found along streambanks, moist woods, and floodplains throughout eastern North America, it offers early-season pollen, cover for birds, and dense wood prized by humans and wildlife alike. With its fine texture, gold to orange fall color, and shade tolerance, this tree is a standout in native woodland gardens, stream restoration projects, and permaculture food forests.

Key Characteristics

• Supports Pollinators and Wildlife Habitat
  American Hornbeam’s inconspicuous spring flowers are wind-pollinated but still offer early-season pollen for visiting insects. Its nutlet-like seeds, enclosed in papery bracts, are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, squirrels, and other small mammals, while its dense branching provides excellent shelter and nesting cover.
• Ideal for Shady, Moist Sites
  Naturally found in wooded ravines, riparian buffers, and streambanks, it thrives in part to full shade and medium to medium-wet soils. It tolerates periodic flooding and makes an excellent tree for restoring damaged understories and building resilient native plant layers.
• Striking Bark and Fall Color for Year-Round Interest
  Its signature muscular bark resembles flexed sinew under skin—smooth, gray, and sculptural. In fall, its fine-textured foliage turns yellow, orange, or reddish, adding subtle beauty to shaded plantings and forest edges.
• Slow-Growing, Long-Lived Tree with Dense Wood
  Though small in stature, this tree’s wood is exceptionally strong and was historically used for tool handles, mallets, and wedges. In the landscape, its resistance to storm damage, compact form, and low-maintenance habit make it a valuable choice for urban plantings and ecological landscaping.
• Great for Native Gardens, Woodland Edges, and Food Forests
  Its shade tolerance, structure, and modest size make American Hornbeam ideal for understory planting beneath taller canopy species, layered food forests, or as a transitional species along forest margins and streams.

Product Details

• Native Range: Eastern and Central U.S.
• Plant Life Cycle: Deciduous tree
• Sun Requirements: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Medium to medium-wet
• Mature Height: 20–35 feet
• Bloom Time: April–May
• Bloom Color: Inconspicuous green catkins
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9

American Hornbeam is a tough yet elegant native understory tree that thrives in shady, moist environments. Its wildlife value, sculptural bark, and ability to enrich forest layers make it a keystone addition to diverse and regenerative landscapes.