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. 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. As fare goes, the nutlets are neither great nor awful, but they are small, which is why they are diminished by most writers. 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. 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 … Ironwood is an excellent food source for Ruffed Grouse and is of equal importance as Aspen and Birch. 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. Musclewood is a synonym of hornbeam. Musclewood and Ironwood, names thought to be interchangeable for the same plant species. Ironwood firewood is commonly used as a blanket term for several different types of dense firewood producing trees. Albion Trees. The Hornbeam, however, is heavily used by beaver because it is common their habitat. It appears to have parts of the trunk that wrap around the main trunk, like you could put your elbows inside one another and wrap your arms around each other. Do these trees have a deep taproot or shallow roots, and what extra care to take in digging up and transplanting? There are some 33,000 seeds to a pound, though every three to five years the tree will produce larger crops than usual. I want trees rather than multiple trunks so I am pruning them up before I allow them to branch. No matter how you look at it, this tree has confusing names. They had only very sparse roots of their own. References: Barnes BV, Wagner, WH Jr. 2004. Habitat: Grows on moist, rocky, wooded slopes. 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”. The “female” catkins are 1.2-1.9 cm (0.5-0.75 in) long and have hairy, greenish scales. I bought two tiny trees at a local native plant sale that I am pruning to keep as single trunk trees. This southwestern tree lives in desert habitats and provides shade and food for many species. (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. My Winter Tree Finder calls it ironwood (it doesn’t even list the hophornbeam name! 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. But the usual size is much smaller. 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. I wanted some instant trees, too so had two large freeman maples planted to hide the neighbour’s balcony. The American hornbeam is also occasionally known as blue-beech, ironwood, or musclewood, the first from the resemblance of the bark to that of the American beech Fagus grandifolia, the other two from the hardness of the wood and the muscular appearance of the trunk, respectively. Just thought that was interesting and notable, if there were regional differences in the nickname Ironwood for two different species. Now, in its third year, (in an unusually hot and dry summer) I still never let it get too dry. But, it is strong and dense, 45 pounds per cubic foot. Carpinus caroliniana is also known as musclewood, ironwood, blue beech, and american hornbeam. First encountered this tough tree in the Kentucky Woodlands portion of what is now The Land Between The Lakes . Depending on where you live Blue Beech, American Hophornbeam, Eastern Hophornbeam and even Musclewood (due to its twisted trunk and resemblance to a muscle) are names given to describe "Ironwood" which makes identifying the tree somewhat confusing. Ted Donaho Dr. Green Deane, 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). Hence its other common name: Musclewood. Thanks again, That said the buds are to me the clearest differentiator. Must be debarked in the spring when the bark is at its slipperiest. Wonder if a bow could be made from this wood? The Primitave Archer website says it’s #2 with osage-orange being #1. Carpinus caroliniana trees are a good lesson in the value of using scientific names when referring to different species of plants and animals. Being exceptionally dense and difficult to work, the wood is primarily used to fashion tough handles for striking implements like hammers. Related to the Alders, Birches, Filberts, and Hophornbeams, the edible part are small nutlets. It is another important sub-dominant tree that makes up the understory layer of the forest. It was planted near to a Katsura tree and for a long time I thought that the tree I am describing was the Katsura. The fox will eat the seeds as well. A heavily seeding tree is between 25 and 50 years old. Peattie, Donald C. 1948. 2014. In Minnesota, it is found in the understory in forests of maple, basswood, oak, cherry and white birch. 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. (Funny how one tree can have so many slang names!) In … Bot. Carpinus caroliniana are called "musclewood," "ironwood," or "American Hornbeam" interchangeably. It’s doing well and seems happy in its new setting – a little woodland that I planted at the back of our yard. Qualities of Ironwood (Also Called "Hornbeam") "American Hornbeam" and "Hop Hornbeam" are hard and strong, especially well suited for tool handles and timber-frame pegs. Any idea what is killing it? However there are no donation records for this species. They are apetalous, meaning they lack petals, and they are borne in catkins. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Not all of the wild edibles can produce the best-tasting and most plentiful foods, but many can make their small contribution. Information about the common street trees of Albion, Michigan [Internet]. Thank You. Please make another suggestion if it does not wrap a round. 1913. Available from. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website. Boss, & B.S. All rights reserved. Hornbeam never grows to a huge size, perhaps six or seven inches through on average. It is more flexible than hickory and just as tough, I don’t know why everyone thinks oasage orange is the only bow wood. METHOD OF PREPARATION: Nutlets raw or roasted, boiled or ground to add to other flours or food. Information about the common street trees of Albion, Michigan [Internet]. Authors are solely responsible for the content and accuracy of their sites, including opinions they express, We are all waiting for the TV show featuring our favorite American forger – Green Deane! I am trying to find the name of a tree that was in my parent’s back yard. Ray Mears is not just an author, but also has several television series about traditional survival skills and wild foods. Hornbeam Tree Vs Beech. However Musclewood is not a true beech species. Seeds, buds, and or catkins are consumed by many birds: Ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasants, bobwhite, turkey, ducks and warblers. Walters. Likewise I have noticed that birch essential oil does slightly decrease my fatigue, so perhaps other products from the birch family might be helpful also? You have lots of avid readers here (and neighboring states) and it will extend the life of your blog. [cited 9 May-2016]. 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. Foraging should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. Here in the South you’ll hear it called Blue Beech or Water Beech. My brother-in-law is a bow maker and tells me American Hornbeam will make a good bow. TIME OF YEAR: Flowers March to May, nutlets late August to winter. My ironwood tree is dying – leaves have already turned yellow and are falling off. There was one on a property my Father owned and later sold. Available from: Skean JD, Nobert HA, Martin LC. 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”. 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 … 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. I still have it. Boston (MA): Houghton Mifflin Company 606 p. Skean JD, Nobert HA, Martin LC. 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. Beech buds are substantially more substantial, much longer and spear shaped, often held on the end of branchlets. But the hornbeam has its own special look, and it is of a well-muscled, sinewy tree. He had been a policeman most of his adult life and at some point someone made him a Billy Club from a chunk of Ironwood. It is no surprise that the strong wood of this tree has given it several other common names; American hornbeam, musclewood, and ironwood. I planted it and mulched, and watered frequently for two years. A.A. Reznicek, E.G. Its other common name Ironwood is used to describe the dense, tough wood of this species. Michigan trees, revised and updated: a guide to the trees of the Great Lakes region. It’s been used for tool handles and support poles and. Deer will eat the shoots but it is not a preferred food. In North America there are numerous trees called "Ironwood", here in the East it is usually the American Hornbeam, which is in the beech family (also goes by musclewood, and several other slang) heavy dense, understory tree (not nearly as dense and substantial as western Desert Ironwood). pbsdonah@hal-pc.org. Saw that you mentioned hop hornbeam wouldn’t make a good archery bow. 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). [cited 9 May-2016]. Carpinus is the classical Latin name for the Hornbeam, and comes from “carpentum” a Roman horse-drawn vehicle with hard-wood wheels. I'm a college performance major looking to purchase a professional piccolo, one where I don't have to buy step-up in a few years. Ironwood makes excellent firewood because it cures well and burns hot. We also refer to Musclewood as Blue Beech. And so it is with the American Hornbeam, Carpinus caroliniana, (kar-PYE-nus kair-oh-lin-ee-AY-nuh.). When I liberated my tree(s) from the woods, I found that they are “sprouts” growing from the roots of another tree. 12: 429. February 2011. February 2011. 3 vols. 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. Ironwood vs. Grenadilla vs. Rosewood 17:57 on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 miamigurl123 (7 points) Posted by miamigurl123. Please direct questions or comments to websupport@albion.edu. It is also called ironwood for its very dense timber. Have never seen anything but mature , but small shrub like trees . Any chance there is a connection? I do have a comment regarding Hornbeam vs. It is part of the Betulaceae (birch) family and has several nicknames, including blue beech, muscle beech, water beech, muscletree, musclewood, and ironwood. ), 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).). 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. Where I grew up it was called Ironwood or Hornbeam (which means hard tree.) as well as bowls and dishes because it does not crack or split or have any flavor. May I humbly suggest you take a trip to Texas. Thanks… have you visited the site Foraging Texas? Ann Arbor, MI: Univ. Wind can disperse them up to 64 feet from the tree. Copyright 2007-2018 – This web page is the property of Green Deane, LLC. 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. If you are still searching for it, this fall I can probably gather some for you, we have the ‘blue beech’ hornbeam, and in fact I was looking around online to identify the trees in order to make the ‘hornbeam’ bach flower remedy for someone. Michigan Press 447 p. Michigan Flora Online. Love this website, especially the archives. Possibly a guitar neck? I dug about 12″ laterally on both sides of the little tree, cut the lateral root and pulled it up. Where can I buy hornbeam seeds for eating, hornbeam leaves for making tea or do anything else herbal with hornbeam. They can be eaten raw or roasted. 1987. though the bark does have some medicinal uses and the leaves have been employed as an astringent. Barnes BV, Wagner, WH Jr. 2004. Leaves alternate, simple, elliptical to oval, 3 to 5 inches long, smaller on younger trees, pinnately veined, tip tapers to a sharp point, long and short teeth on leaves, smooth green above, paler below. It is located at N42.24329°, W084.72828°. Seeds of the Hornbeam are an important food for squirrels. This wood is excellent for making bows, furniture, or anything else that you want to last forever. 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). 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. And, I want to put two in my yard. Does the musclewoon wrap around itself? Comments or questions about this site, or for permission to use photos and information. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Muscelwood is a species that is native to Michigan. My co-worker and I are teaching a few foraging/survival classes to staff and we are learning Volumes from your website. The leaf blades are 5-10 cm (2-4 in) long and 2-4 cm (0.75-1.5 in) wide. Seems pretty uniform across the board with the other arborists in my field that I’ve come encountered. 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. masuzi May 15, 2020 Uncategorized 0. Boss, & B.S. It can be found naturally in areas with moist soil including streambanks, riverbanks, and maritime forests. The Bach Flower Remedy does somewhat decrease my fatigue, but I need something stronger. 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. American Hornbeam, Musclewood, or Ironwood, is a deciduous tree that may grow 30 to feet tall. Blue beech (Carpinus caroliniana), also called musclewood or American hornbeam, is a small, slow-growing tree, native to Minnesota and the eastern U.S. 2014. University of Michigan [Internet]. Typically growing into a large shrub or small tree, this species has been known to reach heights of 5-10 m (15-35 ft) and develop trunks 15-30 cm (6-12 in) in diameter. Spring catkins and buds are high quality forage for grouse and an important habitat component. However, it makes a good firewood. May 14, 2006. I suspect their great size is primarily due having to reach for the sun among the oaks and poplars. Hornbeam likes to grow near water or damp conditions. However Musclewood is not a true beech species. This species is highly shade-tolerant, slow growing, and short lived. Brown. Walters. Thanks all the wonderful info and reading time you have given me. Noteworthy Characteristics. My cousins and I always built forts in them and love the twisted trunk. Seems pretty uniform across the board with the other arborists in my field that I’ve come encountered. and Albion College disclaims any and all liability for that content, its accuracy, and opinions it may contain. Trees are monecious meaning that both “male” and “female” flowers are present on each tree. A natural history of trees of eastern and central North America. Makes a nice small yard tree, slow growing. Learn how your comment data is processed. When measured on 24 May 2016, this tree had a diameter at breast height of <2.5 cm, was ca. University of Michigan [Internet]. It is also the larval host of several butterflies including the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Striped hairstreak, Red-spotted Purple, and Tiger Swallow-tail. Ostrya virginiana is a complete different plant species; it is the "true ironwood" and is also known as american hophornbeam. Available from:  http://michiganflora.net/home.aspx. There is one Musclewood mapped in the arboretum. The small nuts are edible, but seldom used by humans. Squirrels, rabbits, and beaver eat the seeds, wood, and bark. The small trees own roots were very shallow, so with my pruners it was very easy to liberate the tree. Scientific Name of Snapdragon and American Hornbeam is used by scientists worldwide. Available from: http://campus.albion.edu/albiontrees/. 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. [cited 9 May-2016]. Flowers bloom in April-May as the leaves develop. I watered them well in the first two years and they are thriving. been wondering about this tree for more than 50 years, thanks Google! The flowers are wind-pollinated. The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a deciduous hardwood shade tree that's native to eastern North America. [cited 9 May-2016]. virginiana (Marshall) Furlow, Syst. As for its scientific name, Caroliniana (like Virginiana) means North America, or at least central North America. Interesting… I’ve found some persimmons near 70 feet tall doing the same thing riverside. To have an upright cultivar with all these attributes is Michigan Flora Online. Carpinus caroliniana Walter – Betulaceae – birch family. Leaves, twigs, and larger stems are eaten by cottontails, beaver, and white-tailed deer. Best wood for bow making from what I’ve read is osage orange wood. “Male” catkins are not visible until spring, typically 2.5-4 cm (1-1.75 in) long, and are greenish in color. 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. Cherokee used black locust, and Osage orange. I liberated another one in the woods (sorry, I shouldn’t have, but……). Ironwood tree leaves fall during the drought season. Wow… I’ve been going to a campsite for 6 years without knowing what that tree was. Albion Trees. Leaves are alternate, simple, and borne singly on short shoots in two rows. American hornbeam is also called musclewood because of the sinewy appearance of its smooth gray bark. I live close to Niagara Falls, Ontario and looked in a local park to see what grows naturally in this area. My friend, a landscape architect,told me to try this Carpinus caroliniana. Ironwood is a synonym of hornbeam. and western Honduras. Its other common name Ironwood is used to describe the dense, tough wood of this species. While Carpinus contains 25 species of trees, only the blue beech is native to North America. Hi John! I believe the variety I have here is American hop hornbeam. Hornbeam looks taut, cut and buff, as if it goes to the forest gym twice a day and lifts … iron. It used to be favored to make charcoal powder. I didn’t discover this tree until I retired and moved to the city – and finally have time to “look” at my surroundings. This is not completely true. Ironwood is a synonym of hornbeam. I have found lots of your species here in Fort Bend County, Texas. Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is an attractive small tree that is common, but not abundant in its natural range. Ray Mears also reports the sprouts are edible. But you could probably find someone in your area that will kill dry it for you professionally and slowly takes about a week. Question There may be several varieties of iron wood. I do SASE’s on the ‘seed exchange’ on the gardenweb forum, just message me there (my handle is mersiepoo). 1b. Take the papery bracts and rub them between you hands to free the nutlets. The existing trees are not what I would have chosen, but trees are precious and so they will remain. Once you have the look of a Hornbeam inside your head you will always recognize it easily. Dark patches may occur on the bark due to the muscle like ridges that are characteristic of the trunks of this species. Are the seeds from the hop horn beam tree edible as well? It is indeed a very hard, heavy and stiff wood. I also have a mimosa that is dying on the opposite side of my house – think it has mimosa wilt. ... American Hornbeam Musclewood Blue Beech Mdc Discover Nature Hornbeam Ironwood Blue Beech Eat The Weeds And Other Things Too Carpinus Betulus Hornbeam Tree Identification Guide Namethatplant Net Hop Hornbeam And 4 m tall, and was in fair condition due to a wound at the base of the tree. I too remember musclewood as the common name of American hornbeam growing up in Connecticut. However it occupies different sites than the Hop-Hornbeam tree which is another understory species. It is too dense to float in water, but burns at a high temperature. In timberland the Hornbeam is considered a tough weed because it is too small for commercial use. For Robert, Carpinus caroliniana, or Blue Beech, is a member of Betulaceae (the birch family). The name hornbeam refers to the genuine strength of its wood — it is one of the hardest and strongest woods in North America. IDENTIFICATION: A small tree, nearly shrubby, to 25 feet,rounded crown, twisted trunk. Or knife handles or duck calls ? The fruits are small nuts that ripen in mid-summer but are usually persistent until late fall after the leaves have fallen. This one has a single trunk that was growing from the root of another tree with only sparse roots of its own. It was used for tool handles. I do have a comment regarding Hornbeam vs. 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. The leaves are alternate with a doubly toothed margin. Britton, N.L., and A. The desert ironwood tree of Arizona produces one of the heaviest woods in the world. They are elliptical to oblong, sharp pointed, and the margins are sharply doubly serrated with larger teeth at the ends of veins. I don’t think it has the flexibility for a bow but I am not a bow maker. The bark … The tree is at least 22 years old, and probably a good bit older than that. A.A. Reznicek, E.G. And it takes quite a bit of time to cure being that it’s very hard. The bark of this tree is thin, bluish-gray, and smooth. Carpinus caroliniana subsp. Ironwood as well. Now that I know what it is, you’ve made my camping trips more interesting… Thx . ENVIRONMENT: Moist areas of established forests, occasionally fields.