Musclewood

Musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana)

Size:  2-3′
Light: shade
Soil Type: Moderate/Moist

Also known as Blue-beech or American Hornbeam, this small native tree grows slowly to a height of 9 – 30 ft. It grows best in shady, moist areas but will grow on a variety of sites. The catkins (a type of flower structure) appear in April or May and produce nut-like seeds from midsummer that frequently last into winter, providing food for small mammals and many birds, including turkeys, grouse, and pheasants. Interesting muscle like ridges on the trunk and beautiful orange, scarlet foliage in the fall.

Image source: https://extension.psu.edu/underutilized-landscape-plant-carpinus-caroliniana-american-hornbeam