Carpinus caroliniana

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Ironwood,
American Hornbeam

NJ Ecotype (grown from seed)

*Seedling stock expected by 2027 due to double dormancy

  • Deciduous hardwood understory tree; slow growing; 20-30ft tall on average, but can reach 45ft in ideal conditions

  • Monoecious—both male and female catkins form on the same tree; blooms early spring; leaves becomes vibrant shades of golden-yellow to orange-red in fall

  • Smooth, gray bark is ridged; wood is characteristically very dense and strong; leaves, twigs and stems eaten by deer, rabbits and beaver

  • Seeds are sought after by squirrels, foxes, and birds including ruffed grouse, turkey, evening grosbeaks, goldfinches and other songbirds; various birds feed on insects attracted to this tree including scarlet tanager, yellow-billed cuckoos, warblers, flycatchers, gnatcatchers and more

  • Host plant to many moths and butterflies including the Striped Hairstreak, Red-Spotted Purple and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Size:

Ironwood,
American Hornbeam

NJ Ecotype (grown from seed)

*Seedling stock expected by 2027 due to double dormancy

  • Deciduous hardwood understory tree; slow growing; 20-30ft tall on average, but can reach 45ft in ideal conditions

  • Monoecious—both male and female catkins form on the same tree; blooms early spring; leaves becomes vibrant shades of golden-yellow to orange-red in fall

  • Smooth, gray bark is ridged; wood is characteristically very dense and strong; leaves, twigs and stems eaten by deer, rabbits and beaver

  • Seeds are sought after by squirrels, foxes, and birds including ruffed grouse, turkey, evening grosbeaks, goldfinches and other songbirds; various birds feed on insects attracted to this tree including scarlet tanager, yellow-billed cuckoos, warblers, flycatchers, gnatcatchers and more

  • Host plant to many moths and butterflies including the Striped Hairstreak, Red-Spotted Purple and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Details

  • Red, Green, Brown

  • Early to mid Spring

  • 20-30ft tall on average, can reach up to 45ft in ideal conditions

  • Average lifespan is between 50 and 150 years

  • Medium

  • Partial, Shade

  • Striped Hairstreak
    Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

  • FAC - occurs in wetlands and non-wetlands

  • Difficult species to germinate; requires; requires double dormancy (warm period followed by a cold period) — sow in spring and germination should occur the following year