American hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam) is a small tree reaching heights of 6–10 meters (20–35 ft), and often has a fluted and crooked trunk. The bark is smooth and greenish-grey, becoming shallowly fissured in all old trees. The leaves are alternate, 3–12 centimeters (1+1⁄4–4+3⁄4 in) long, with prominent veins giving a distinctive corrugated texture, and a serrated margin. The male and female catkins appear in spring at the same time as the leaves. The fruit is a small 7–8-millimeter (9⁄32–5⁄16-inch) long nut, partially surrounded by a three- to seven-pointed leafy involucre 2–3 centimeters (3⁄4–1+1⁄4 in) long; it matures in autumn. The seeds often do not germinate till the spring of the second year after maturating.

Bark: On old trees near the base, furrowed. Young trees and branches smooth, dark bluish gray, sometimes furrowed, light and dark gray. Branchlets at first pale green, changing to reddish brown, ultimately dull gray. Wood: Light brown, sapwood nearly white; heavy, hard, close-grained, very strong. Specific gravity, 0.7286; density 45.41 pounds per cubic foot (0.7274 g/cm3). Winter buds: Ovate, acute, chestnut brown, 1⁄8 inch (3 mm) long. Inner scales enlarge when spring growth begins. …

They are shade-loving trees, preferring moderate soil fertility and moisture. It has a shallow, wide-spreading root system. The leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera, for example the Io moth (Automeris io). Common along the borders of streams and swamps, loves a deep moist soil. Varies from shrub to small tree, and ranges throughout the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Deer browse the foliage and twigs, while game birds eat the nutlets.

The wood is heavy and hard (Specific gravity, 0.7286; density 45.41 pounds per cubic foot (0.7274 g/cm3)), and is used for tool handles, longbows, levers, walking sticks, walking canes and golf clubs.

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