American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana (BETULACEAE)
Planting and Growing American Hornbeam
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow American hornbeam trees in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Foliage, catkins, and nuts of American hornbeam trees
- Growing conditions for American hornbeam
- When to plant American hornbeam
- How to plant American hornbeam
- How to prune American hornbeam
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of American hornbeam
- Landscape uses of American hornbeam
- Pest and disease control for American hornbeam
Growing American Hornbeam Trees
A few cultivars of medium- to slow-growing, upright, round-crowned, open, deciduous trees, to 40 ft. (12 m) tall, often with multiple trunks, with deep green, oval, pointed, sharp-toothed, veined leaves, to 4 in. (10 cm) long, turning deep red in autumn, and with smooth, gray bark.
American Hornbeam Planting and Care Guide
Catkins and Nuts
Willowlike catkins, to 4 in. (10 cm) long, in spring, form brown, 3-lobed nuts with leafy bracts, in clusters to 5 in. (13 cm) long, in summer.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 3–9. Choose C. caroliniana var. virginiana, zones 3–5.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Average. 6.0–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun to full shade. Space 15–20 ft. (4.5–6 m) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist. Fertilize and prune sparingly. Protect from sun, wind in hot climates. Propagate by grafting, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for accents, paths, screens in landscapes, lawns, roadside plantings. Good for seasonal shade. Disease resistant. Scale susceptible.