The leaves are ovoid and the flowers are yellow-green. The hard wood of American hornbeam is used to make golf clubs, tool handles and mallets. Our illustrated, step-by-step process makes it easy to identify a tree simply by the kinds of leaves it produces. The American hornbeam (C. caroliniana) is also known as water beech and blue beech, the latter for its blue-gray bark.It seldom reaches 12 m, although some trees in the southern United States may grow to 18 m tall. Maine's 14 Native Conifers. Introduction: American hophornbeam is a small understory tree of well-drained, deciduous forests that thrives on neglect.It is the upland equivalent to hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). The leaves are alternate with a doubly toothed margin. Winter twigs are very fine reddish brown in color with three bundle scars. Contact. 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). The European hornbeam (C. betulus) has a twisted trunk that branches profusely; the tree may grow to 20 m (65 feet).One variety bears normal and oaklike leaves on the same tree. American hornbeam is more difficult to transplant than European hornbeam. Hornbeam leaves are up to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, with an ovate shape and a wedge-shaped base. Hornbeam is a small tree, rarely over 25 feet tall. Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 22 State House Station 18 Elkins Lane Augusta, ME 04333 More Locations. It should be transplanted balled-and- burlapped in the spring. Noteworthy Characteristics. Cedar: Atlantic White, Eastern Red and Northern White Fir: Balsam Hemlock: Eastern Juniper: Common Larch: Tamarack Pine: Eastern White Jack (Gray); Pitch ; Red (Norway); Spruce: Black, Red and White (Cat) Maine's 52 Native Leaf Trees . My Winter Tree Finder calls it ironwood (it doesn’t even list the hophornbeam name! Phone: (207) 287-3200 Fax: (207) 287-2400 Begin identifying your tree … The Tree is a deciduous tree, it will be up to 12 m (39 ft) high. The reference to muscle relates to the tree's characteristic fluted trunk and branches that look like muscle tissue. The tips of the leaves come to a distinct point and the upper surface is green-blue, while underneath the colors are a yellow-green mix. It can be found naturally in areas with moist soil including streambanks, riverbanks, and maritime forests. American Hornbeam Fruit - Photo by Paul Wray, Iowa State University. ), 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).). No matter how you look at it, this tree has confusing names. American hornbeam is a wonderful addition to small yards, and is also perfect for a natural landscape or as a specimen tree. The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a deciduous hardwood shade tree that's native to eastern North America.It is part of the Betulaceae (birch) family and has several nicknames, including blue beech, muscle beech, water beech, muscletree, musclewood, and ironwood. It is a member of the birch family and will have the male catkin flower buds present in the winter months. The bark … Hornbeam has alternate simple leaves, with fine teeth and tapering to a sharp point. Tree Identification Field Guide. The American Hornbeam is botanically called Carpinus caroliniana. American Hornbeam, Musclewood, or Ironwood, is a deciduous tree that may grow 30 to feet tall. The tree likes Sun to shade at the location and the soil should be fresh humus soils. Although American hophornbeam's fall color is not sensational, it helps to "soften" the autumn landscape.