Carpinus caroliniana

RHS Plant Profile

American hornbeam

RHS

Other common names

blue beech, ironwood, water beech

Synonyms

Carpinus americana

Trees

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A small, deciduous tree to around 10m tall with branches that droop at the tips and fluted, grey bark. The bright green leaves are ovate, serrated and prominently veined and turn shades of orange, yellow and red in autumn. Green catkins borne in spring are followed by fruiting clusters around 7cm long in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: more than 50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Betulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Carpinus are deciduous shrubs and trees with attractive foliage and hop-like fruit clusters in late summer and autumn
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings or by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, coral spot and sometimes honey fungus