I planted it and mulched, and watered frequently for two years. Barnes BV, Wagner, WH Jr. 2004. I consider myself as a proverbial green thumb and can get most things to survive but I read it is difficult to transplant so I want to take precautions. Comments or questions about this site, or for permission to use photos and information. University of Michigan [Internet]. Wild Turkey, Squirrel, Cottontails, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Downy Woodpecker, and Purple Finch have been observed to feed on the hop-like seeds and buds. Ironwood makes excellent firewood because it cures well and burns hot. However there are no donation records for this species. 1987. First encountered this tough tree in the Kentucky Woodlands portion of what is now The Land Between The Lakes . In context|uncountable|lang=en terms the difference between ironwood and musclewood is that ironwood is (uncountable) the wood of any ironwood tree while musclewood is (uncountable) the wood of this species. This species has many common names, but the common name Blue-Beech stems from its bark having a strikingly similar look to that of American Beech. Where I grew up it was called Ironwood or Hornbeam (which means hard tree.) A natural history of trees of eastern and central North America. May 14, 2006. It was used for tool handles. (Funny how one tree can have so many slang names!) Wind can disperse them up to 64 feet from the tree. Spring catkins and buds are high quality forage for grouse and an important habitat component. Best wood for bow making from what I’ve read is osage orange wood. I still have it. It is more flexible than hickory and just as tough, I don’t know why everyone thinks oasage orange is the only bow wood. Any idea what is killing it? Squirrels, rabbits, and beaver eat the seeds, wood, and bark. Hop Hornbeam… I have learned my trees (in Illinois and North Carolina) and we refer to Hornbeam- Carpinus caroliniana as “Musclewood”, and Hop Hornbeam- Ostrya virginiana as “Ironwood”. Hornbeam looks taut, cut and buff, as if it goes to the forest gym twice a day and lifts … iron. It is too dense to float in water, but burns at a high temperature. I also have a mimosa that is dying on the opposite side of my house – think it has mimosa wilt. American hornbeam is also called musclewood because of the sinewy appearance of its smooth gray bark. “Male” catkins are not visible until spring, typically 2.5-4 cm (1-1.75 in) long, and are greenish in color. As fare goes, the nutlets are neither great nor awful, but they are small, which is why they are diminished by most writers. Carpinus caroliniana, commonly called American hornbeam, is a slow-growing, deciduous, small to medium-sized understory tree with an attractive globular form.It is native to Missouri where it is typically found in rich moist woods, valleys, ravine bottoms and rocky slopes along streams throughout the eastern and Ozark regions of the state (Steyermark). They are apetalous, meaning they lack petals, and they are borne in catkins. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. [cited 9 May-2016]. Not only is it a great nature state to visit, but you have just about written about all the useful plants in Florida (and have started on imported plants, ornamentals and accidentals). While Carpinus contains 25 species of trees, only the blue beech is native to North America. Leaves, twigs, and larger stems are eaten by cottontails, beaver, and white-tailed deer. It is part of the Betulaceae (birch) family and has several nicknames, including blue beech, muscle beech, water beech, muscletree, musclewood, and ironwood. Its other common name Ironwood is used to describe the dense, tough wood of this species. In Minnesota, it is found in the understory in forests of maple, basswood, oak, cherry and white birch. Carpinus caroliniana Walter – Betulaceae – birch family. Boston (MA): Houghton Mifflin Company 606 p. Skean JD, Nobert HA, Martin LC. This is not completely true. It used to be favored to make charcoal powder. ), but as I learned last weekend ironwood is an alternate name for at least two other trees.. Ironwood’s official name is eastern hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana).). 2014. Dark patches may occur on the bark due to the muscle like ridges that are characteristic of the trunks of this species. Ironwood tree leaves fall during the drought season. Ann Arbor, MI: Univ. and Albion College disclaims any and all liability for that content, its accuracy, and opinions it may contain. ENVIRONMENT: Moist areas of established forests, occasionally fields. My cousins and I always built forts in them and love the twisted trunk. It’s doing well and seems happy in its new setting – a little woodland that I planted at the back of our yard. Carpinus is the classical Latin name for the Hornbeam, and comes from “carpentum” a Roman horse-drawn vehicle with hard-wood wheels. Carpinus caroliniana, the American hornbeam, is a small hardwood tree in the genus Carpinus.American hornbeam is also known as blue-beech, and musclewood.It is native to eastern North America, from Minnesota and southern Ontario east to Maine, and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida.It also grows in Canada (southwest Quebec and southeast Ontario). I suspect their great size is primarily due having to reach for the sun among the oaks and poplars. masuzi May 15, 2020 Uncategorized 0. The small trees own roots were very shallow, so with my pruners it was very easy to liberate the tree. Here in the South you’ll hear it called Blue Beech or Water Beech. Trees are monecious meaning that both “male” and “female” flowers are present on each tree. And it takes quite a bit of time to cure being that it’s very hard. It is also called ironwood for its very dense timber. It is no surprise that the strong wood of this tree has given it several other common names; American hornbeam, musclewood, and ironwood. It has many common names, the most common include: blue beech because of its very smooth gray bark, and musclewood referring to its muscle-like branches which are irregularly fluted. We also refer to Musclewood as Blue Beech. Take the papery bracts and rub them between you hands to free the nutlets. The flowers are wind-pollinated. I do have a comment regarding Hornbeam vs. Musclewood has many great characteristics: hardiness, pest and insect resistance, lovely bark and limbs, alkaline soil tolerance, 2” to 4” flowers of pendulous leafy green bracts, and superb fall color. This one has a single trunk that was growing from the root of another tree with only sparse roots of its own. Love this website, especially the archives. I bought two tiny trees at a local native plant sale that I am pruning to keep as single trunk trees. The tree is at least 22 years old, and probably a good bit older than that. And so my private woodland has the same trees – blue beech, black gum, sassafrass, spicebush, along with the existing tulip trees, thornless honey locust, cedar, and spruce. Hornbeam never grows to a huge size, perhaps six or seven inches through on average. The Primitave Archer website says it’s #2 with osage-orange being #1. British author Ray Mears must have been thinking of the Hornbeam when he said a forager mustn’t pass up food no matter how meager. Now that I know what it is, you’ve made my camping trips more interesting… Thx . Ironwood is a synonym of hornbeam. However, it makes a good firewood. Deer will eat the shoots but it is not a preferred food. Thanks again, 1913. The lowest branches on the tree spread out well beyond what would be a normal drip edge and I think the top resembled a point, like a Christmas tree, but not as well defined. Foraging should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. No matter how you look at it, this tree has confusing names. Thanks… have you visited the site Foraging Texas? Ray Mears also reports the sprouts are edible. Have never seen anything but mature , but small shrub like trees . Seems pretty uniform across the board with the other arborists in my field that I’ve come encountered. However Musclewood is not a true beech species. When I liberated my tree(s) from the woods, I found that they are “sprouts” growing from the roots of another tree. My co-worker and I are teaching a few foraging/survival classes to staff and we are learning Volumes from your website. It is another important sub-dominant tree that makes up the understory layer of the forest. But the usual size is much smaller. METHOD OF PREPARATION: Nutlets raw or roasted, boiled or ground to add to other flours or food. Albion Trees. I liberated another one in the woods (sorry, I shouldn’t have, but……). An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Wow… I’ve been going to a campsite for 6 years without knowing what that tree was. The fruits are small nuts that ripen in mid-summer but are usually persistent until late fall after the leaves have fallen. Being exceptionally dense and difficult to work, the wood is primarily used to fashion tough handles for striking implements like hammers. The name hornbeam refers to the genuine strength of its wood — it is one of the hardest and strongest woods in North America. Habitat: Grows on moist, rocky, wooded slopes. pbsdonah@hal-pc.org. Wonder if a bow could be made from this wood? IDENTIFICATION: A small tree, nearly shrubby, to 25 feet,rounded crown, twisted trunk. Noteworthy Characteristics. I believe the variety I have here is American hop hornbeam. Seeds of the Hornbeam are an important food for squirrels. They can be eaten raw or roasted. Please make another suggestion if it does not wrap a round. I dug about 12″ laterally on both sides of the little tree, cut the lateral root and pulled it up. There is one Musclewood mapped in the arboretum. While it is not a beech per se, its leaves — which turn orange red in the fall —  can remind one of a beech as can its bark. Not all of the wild edibles can produce the best-tasting and most plentiful foods, but many can make their small contribution. Leaves are alternate, simple, and borne singly on short shoots in two rows. It is located at N42.24329°, W084.72828°. as well as bowls and dishes because it does not crack or split or have any flavor. As nouns the difference between musclewood and hornbeam is that musclewood is (botany) a common name for the species carpinus caroliniana , a species of deciduous tree while hornbeam is a tree of the genus carpinus , having a smooth gray bark and a ridged trunk, the wood being white and very hard, common along the banks of streams in the united states. Some of these shows are available on YouTube and are very well done, with respect for the natural world and appreciation for the knowledge and cultural traditions of people all over the world whose way of life has not yet been completely obliterated by industrialization. Ray Mears is not just an author, but also has several television series about traditional survival skills and wild foods. Carpinus caroliniana is also known as musclewood, ironwood, blue beech, and american hornbeam. References: Barnes BV, Wagner, WH Jr. 2004. Available from: Skean JD, Nobert HA, Martin LC. Blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana), also called musclewood or American hornbeam, is a small, slow-growing tree, native to Minnesota and the eastern U.S. Available from: http://campus.albion.edu/albiontrees/. Bot. The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a deciduous hardwood shade tree that's native to eastern North America. Hi John! That said the buds are to me the clearest differentiator. And so it is with the American Hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana, (kar-PYE-nus kair-oh-lin-ee-AY-nuh.). This wood is excellent for making bows, furniture, or anything else that you want to last forever. Ironwood firewood is commonly used as a blanket term for several different types of dense firewood producing trees. February 2011. This species has many common names, but the common name Blue-Beech stems from its bark having a strikingly similar look to that of American Beech. All rights reserved. Just thought that was interesting and notable, if there were regional differences in the nickname Ironwood for two different species. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website. He’s incorrect about how big a hornbeam can get; if you hike the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, you will see hornbeam trees up to 48 inches in diameter….great, beautiful, monstrous trees that look like they’re built out of skin-wrapped bundles of rope. Albion Trees. Ironwood is a common name for many woods or plants that have a reputation for hardness, or specifically a wood density that is heavier than water (approximately 1000 kg/m 3, or 62 pounds per cubic foot), although usage of the name ironwood in English may or may not indicate a … But, it is strong and dense, 45 pounds per cubic foot. I have frankly loved this tree for a long time and I have finally found a place to take a couple from the wild and I want to be careful so that I can achieve success in the Transplanting. For Robert, As nouns the difference between ironwood and musclewood is that ironwood is (countable) any of a number of tree species known for having a particularly solid wood while musclewood … Seeds, small, quarter to one third inch, ribbed nutlet on a 3-lobed, slightly folded leafy bract (resembles a maple seed), clustered on a long hanging stalk. 1b. Walters. Peattie, Donald C. 1948. Possibly a guitar neck? Learn how your comment data is processed. Authors are solely responsible for the content and accuracy of their sites, including opinions they express, Britton, N.L., and A. 12: 429. The bark of this tree is thin, bluish-gray, and smooth. I don’t think it has the flexibility for a bow but I am not a bow maker. Ted Donaho The bark … Question There may be several varieties of iron wood. Walters. Any chance there is a connection? Please direct questions or comments to websupport@albion.edu. Hop Hornbeam… I have learned my trees (in Illinois and North Carolina) and we refer to Hornbeam- Carpinus caroliniana as “Musclewood”, and Hop Hornbeam- Ostrya virginiana as “Ironwood”. and western Honduras. It can be found naturally in areas with moist soil including streambanks, riverbanks, and maritime forests. Boss, & B.S. Makes a nice small yard tree, slow growing. The fox will eat the seeds as well. But you could probably find someone in your area that will kill dry it for you professionally and slowly takes about a week. As for its scientific name, Caroliniana (like Virginiana) means North America, or at least central North America. It was planted near to a Katsura tree and for a long time I thought that the tree I am describing was the Katsura. University of Michigan [Internet]. Brown. In … It is indeed a very hard, heavy and stiff wood. May I humbly suggest you take a trip to Texas. As nouns the difference between ironwood and hornbeam is that ironwood is (countable) any of a number of tree species known for having a particularly solid wood while hornbeam is a tree of the genus carpinus , having a smooth gray bark and a ridged trunk, the wood being white and very hard, common along the banks of streams in the united states. My ironwood tree is dying – leaves have already turned yellow and are falling off. Ironwood as well. The Hornbeam grows throughout eastern North American, from Florida to Quebec, Louisiana north to Ontario  It is also found in Texas, Arkansas, central and southern Mexico, Guatemala. The Hornbeam, however, is heavily used by beaver because it is common their habitat. They had only very sparse roots of their own. Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is an attractive small tree that is common, but not abundant in its natural range. But the hornbeam has its own special look, and it is of a well-muscled, sinewy tree. As nouns the difference between ironwood and hornbeam is that ironwood is (countable) any of a number of tree species known for having a particularly solid wood while hornbeam is a tree of the genus carpinus , having a smooth gray bark and a ridged trunk, the wood being white and very hard, common along the banks of streams in the united states. Portion of what is now the Land between the Lakes white birch bow could made! 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The look of a hornbeam inside your head you will always recognize it easily the leaf are. Where I grew up it was very easy to liberate the tree. ) ridges that are characteristic the.