American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana
Betulaceae
Carpinus caroliniana leaves
Carpinus caroliniana form MJP
Carpinus caroliniana fruit
Carpinus caroliniana bark JB
Small understory tree with smooth, rippling gray bark. Tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions. Sensitive to construction stress.

Summary

Climate Tolerance
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)
Shade/Sun Tolerance
Part Shade to Shade: Receives less than 2 to 4 hours of direct sunlight or dappled shade all day
Maximum Height
Medium (40-75 ft)
Growth Rate
Slow: 1 ft or less per year
Soil Type
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.
Soil Moisture Tolerance
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
Urban Stress Tolerance
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
Lifespan
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

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