American Hornbeam

Also known as Blue Beech, Ironwood or Musclewood, American Hornbeam is a great tree that can be used in many situations. We grow ours with a single clear trunk and well-formed canopy. It can tolerate wet soils and occasional flooding. The leaves are simple ovate with a dark green, often lustrous, appearance that turn yellow, orange, red and reddish purple in the fall. The bark is smooth, thin and dark bluish gray and the trunk has a sinewy muscular appearance that makes it quite unique. Consider this as an alternative to the maple or oak for a different appearance. Mature size is 20 to 30 feet high and 20 to 30 feet wide, possibly larger.