Carpinus caroliniana
Betulaceae
Small understory tree with smooth, rippling gray bark. Tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions. Sensitive to construction stress.
Summary
![](/themes/custom/cmp_b5/images/field_tree_climate_tol.png)
Poor
Wildlife Benefits
Seeds food source for songbirds, ducks, small mammals; moth/butterfly host
Pollination Type
Wind
Plant Hardiness Zones
3 to 9
# Butterfly/Moths that use as host
74
Bloom Time
Spring (Mar-May)
![](/themes/custom/cmp_b5/images/field_tree_shade_sun_tol.png)
Part Shade to Shade: Receives less than 2 to 4 hours of direct sunlight or dappled shade all day
![](/themes/custom/cmp_b5/images/field_tree_max_height.png)
Medium (40-75 ft)
![](/themes/custom/cmp_b5/images/field_tree_growth_rate.png)
Slow: 1 ft or less per year
![](/themes/custom/cmp_b5/images/field_tree_soil_type.png)
Clay: Small sized particles. Long moisture retention and low nutrient availability.
Loam: Equal mix of clay, sand, and silt. Moderate moisture retention and high nutrient availability.
Sand: Large/coarse particles. Short moisture retention and low nutrient availability.
Silt: Medium sized particles. Moderate moisture retention and high nutrient availability.
![](/themes/custom/cmp_b5/images/field_tree_soil_moisture_tol.png)
Moist: Soil can remain damp and does not normally retain standing water
Root - Fungal Association
Ectomycorrhizae: Symbiotic relationship with fungi that exist on outside of plant root cells, facilitating nutrient uptake
Pest & Pathogen Risks
Very Low
![](/themes/custom/cmp_b5/images/field_tree_urban_stress_tol.png)
Medium: Tree can adapt to a few urban conditions and will generally grow well
Drought Tolerance
Sensitive: Tree will become stressed during periods of drought
Coefficient of Conservatism
5
Native Status
OH-Native: Species is native to Ohio
NatureServe G-rank
G5
Plant Community Type
- Beech Mixed: Common
- Oak Mixed: Abundant
- Alluvial: Common
- Red Maple Mixed: Common
- Ruderal: Occasional
Bloom Color
Red
Green
Brown
Form
Tree
![](/themes/custom/cmp_b5/images/field_tree_lifespan.png)
Short: Less than 100 years
Soil pH
Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Wetland Indicator Status
FAC: Facultative, occurs in wetlands and non-wetlands
Soil Compaction Tolerance
Sensitive: Tree will become stressed from soil being compacted
Heat Tolerance
Tolerant: Tree will not become stressed for increased temperature due to urban heat island effects
Salt Tolerant
Sensitive: Intolerant to either aerial salt spray and/or salt present in soil
Native County Status
Cuyahoga
Geauga
Lake
Lorain
Medina
Portage
Summit
IUCN Red List Assessment
Least Concern