American Hornbeam

Native Woodland Tree
Sculptural Musclewood Bark
Orange-Red Fall Color

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#7 Container

$286.00

2 in stock

Size

Clear

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$286.00

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We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
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Grasshopper Gardens offers free home delivery to customers in our local service areas. Experience the convenience of having your plants delivered straight to your home, free of charge, saving you time and effort.

Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
In Stock
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American Hornbeam

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizer
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

American Hornbeam

American Hornbeam is a native deciduous understory tree admired for smooth, muscular gray bark, refined green foliage, and glowing fall color. Its smaller size and graceful branching make it ideal for woodland gardens, shaded borders, naturalized areas, and landscapes needing elegant seasonal structure.

Why choose American Hornbeam?

Choose American Hornbeam for its sculptural bark, adaptable small-tree size, and natural four-season character. Also known as Musclewood or Blue Beech, this native tree brings a quiet, refined beauty to shaded landscapes with fresh spring foliage, clean summer texture, and yellow to orange-red fall color. Its moderate scale works well near patios, woodland edges, rain gardens, and natural screens where a full-size shade tree would be too large.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Carpinus caroliniana
Common Name: American Hornbeam
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Growth Habit: Small, rounded to spreading understory tree, often multi-stemmed

American Hornbeam Additional Information

American Hornbeam is especially valued for its smooth, fluted gray bark, which resembles flexed muscles and gives the tree strong visual interest even after leaf drop. In spring, subtle yellow-green catkins appear before or with the emerging foliage. The leaves are finely toothed and bright green through summer, then shift into attractive yellow, orange, or red tones in fall.

This native tree is a smart choice for naturalized landscapes, woodland gardens, shaded borders, streambanks, and rain-garden edges where soil moisture is dependable. Small nutlets develop with leafy bracts and can provide seasonal interest while supporting wildlife. American Hornbeam is deciduous, so it drops its leaves in fall, but its smooth bark and branching structure remain attractive in winter. Pruning is usually minimal and is best limited to removing damaged, crossing, or crowded branches while preserving the tree’s naturally graceful outline.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant American Hornbeam in partial shade to full sun with moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Choose a site with enough room for its mature spread and plant with the root flare level with the surrounding soil.

2. Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. Once established, provide supplemental water during dry spells, especially in sunny locations or sandy soils.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture and keep soil temperatures even. Keep mulch pulled back slightly from the trunk.

4. Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to remove dead, damaged, crossing, or crowded branches. Maintain the natural rounded form and avoid unnecessary heavy shaping.

Related Resources

FAQs

How big does American Hornbeam get?
American Hornbeam typically grows about 20–30 feet tall with a similar or slightly wider spread, depending on site conditions, moisture, and available space.
Where should I plant American Hornbeam?
Plant it in a moist, well-drained location with partial shade to full sun. It is especially useful for woodland edges, native gardens, shaded borders, naturalized areas, and rain garden margins.
Does American Hornbeam flower?
Yes. American Hornbeam produces subtle spring catkins rather than showy flowers. The later nutlets and leafy bracts add quiet seasonal interest and can support wildlife.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Tall Growth
Partial Shade
Seasonal

Mature Height	Medium: Up to 30 ft
Mature Spread	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Slow
Botanical Name	Carpinus caroliniana
Bloom Time	Late Spring, Early Spring, Early Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Betulaceae
Flower Color	Green, Yellow/Orange
Hardiness Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#15 Container, #7 Container

Green map of the United States with state boundaries outlined in black, all states shaded in green, on a white background.

Growing Zones 3-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -40)

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