American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
A native understory tree prized for its smooth, muscular gray bark and exceptional four-season interest. This shade-tolerant beauty produces brilliant orange-red fall foliage and adapts well to urban conditions while providing excellent wildlife habitat. Perfect for smaller yards where a graceful, low-maintenance shade tree is desired.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Partial shade to full shade
Zones
3–9
USDA hardiness
Height
20-30 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for American Hornbeam in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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American Hornbeam · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasional Flooding, Occasionally Wet. Water: kar-PINE-us kair-oh-lin-ee-AN-uh. Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 20 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12-24 feet. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The nutlet is ⅓ inch long and is attached to a leaf-like, 3-lobed green scale that helps it to be carried by the wind.
Color: Gold/Yellow. Type: Nut. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: E. Canada to SE. U.S.A., NC
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Dry Soil, Fire, Heavy Shade, Storm damage, Urban Conditions, Wet Soil, Wind
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Wild Ginger
Thrives in similar shade conditions and provides natural groundcover without competing for nutrients
Coral Bells
Tolerates shade well and adds colorful foliage while requiring minimal water competition
Astilbe
Enjoys similar moist, shaded conditions and provides beautiful flowers without root competition
Hosta
Complements the tree's shade-creating ability and helps suppress weeds with dense foliage
Ferns
Natural woodland companions that thrive in the filtered light and don't compete for nutrients
Trillium
Native woodland plant that benefits from the tree's natural leaf litter and shade
Serviceberry
Compatible native understory shrub that shares similar growing conditions and wildlife benefits
Wild Columbine
Adapts well to partial shade and attracts beneficial pollinators to the area
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to many plants including hornbeam, stunting growth
Large Pine Trees
Creates acidic soil conditions that hornbeam doesn't prefer and competes heavily for water
Silver Maple
Aggressive shallow root system competes directly with hornbeam for surface nutrients and water
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent disease resistance, very few pest problems
Common Pests
Scale insects (rare), leaf miners (minor)
Diseases
Generally disease-free, occasional leaf spot in humid conditions