Species

Carpinus carolinianaAmerican Hornbeam

3 other cultivars

treeN. America Native

American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana 'Collynair'

The Story

Plant Bio

Carpinus caroliniana is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree native to eastern North American moist woods and floodplains. It features smooth, bluish-gray bark that develops distinct sinewy, muscle-like fluting over time.

'Collynair' produces a tightly columnar to narrow oval habit with fine-branching foliage. The leaves emerge bright green in spring, turn dark green in summer, and shift to shades of yellow, orange, and red in fall.

Uses & Benefits:

Offers a narrow columnar habit, fluted blue-gray trunk, and vivid yellow, orange, and red fall foliage.

Fits restricted urban driveways and narrow side yards without requiring constant structural pruning.

Serves as a host plant for native Lepidoptera caterpillars and provides seeds for native birds.

SpeciesCarpinus carolinianaAmerican Hornbeam

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

480"

Width

240"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Eastern North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun to partial shade with rich, moist, organic-rich soil.
Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball and equal to its depth.
Position the tree so the trunk flare rests level with the surrounding soil, then backfill and firm gently.
Water deeply at planting and apply a 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it off the trunk.

Pro Tip

Prune minimally in late winter while dormant; heavy heading back damages its narrow columnar form and ruins the appearance of the fluted trunk.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep soil consistently moist during the first two years of establishment.
Maintain a protective mulch layer around the root zone to conserve soil moisture.
Prune out crossing or damaged branches in late winter while the tree is dormant.

Don't

Do not shear or top the canopy into artificial formal shapes.
Avoid planting in dry, compacted soils without committing to supplemental summer watering.
Do not over-fertilize with high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote weak vegetative growth.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Columnar accent tree for tight landscape spacesUnderstory tree in naturalistic or woodland garden settingsDeciduous screening hedge along property boundaries

Companion Plants

Acer palmatum Cornus florida Heuchera Polystichum acrostichoides

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

American Hornbeam questions

What zones can American Hornbeam grow in?

American Hornbeam is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is American Hornbeam deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse American Hornbeam, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does American Hornbeam bloom?

American Hornbeam typically blooms in spring through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does American Hornbeam need full sun?

American Hornbeam does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.