Carpinus caroliniana
American Hornbeam, Musclewood, Ironwood

Mature Height: 10-75'     Longevity: 150 years

 Carpinus caroliniana leaf. Carpinus caroliniana character art.
   

4-8 Water Range
Soil moisture tolerated by tree

3-8 Temperature Range
Hardiness Zones in which tree naturally occurs.

DEFENSE     Soil Moisture Key
4: Virtually all sources state species most commonly found around moist soils. Silvics Manual reports tree may be on dry-mesic sites & tolerates wider range of conditions. 4 seems more conservative value and agrees w/ bulk of literature (better drought tolerance literature could change value to 3).

8: Frequently identified as moderately tolerant of flooding. Reported to tolerate flooding up to 25% of a growing season.

DEFENSE (from Distribution Maps)
National Audubon Society (NAS) Map: (NORTH) Solid Z3. (SOUTH) Solid Z8, no presence in Z9.

Peterson Field Guide (PFG) Map: (NORTH) Same comments as NAS. (SOUTH) Same comments as NAS.


   

1   Sun Strength

9   Shade Strength

DEFENSE
Growth Rate:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Max Height:

Click here for Key
1.8 = very Slow
-.4 = Climax Specialist
+.6 = 3 Major, 4 Minor
-.2 = Sensitive
0 = No
-.3 = 30'
-.1 = 75'

DEFENSE
Shade Tol.:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Longevity:

Click here for Key
8 = Very Tolerant
+.7 = Climax Specialist
+.6 = 3 Major, 4 Minor
-.2 = Sensitive
0 = No
-.2 = 30'
-.3 = 150 yrs

TOTAL SCORE (1.4): Occurrence within a very wide range of soil orders offset by small size, salt sensitivity & late seral status.

TOTAL SCORE (8.6): High score is befitting of a tree species that thrives & is commonly found in the understory of mature forests.


   

1   Fire Strength

5   Wind Strength

DEFENSE
Base Score: Small Tree = 1
Small stature, thin bark & unanimous reports of fire susceptibility lead to easy assignment of lowest fire tolerance value
Final Value = 1

DEFENSE
Base Score: High (Small Tree)= 5
Small stature and usual occurrence under canopy equals low opportunity for exposure to high wind. Wood is very strong and reports in literature confirm that tree is very windfirm.
Final Value = 5