Many a woodland gardener often struggles to find a tree that can grow amongst the shade of our glorious giant trees like American beeches, tulip trees, and oaks. Luckily, American Hornbeam is here to help. A wonderful understory tree, American Hornbeam earns another of its common names, musclewood, as it matures. Smooth, gray twigs grow into twisting, sinewy branches, evoking the image of strong, roiling muscles beneath the thin bark. This graceful small tree may be slow-growing, but it is shade tolerant, disease resistant, and, as yet another common name (ironwood) suggests, strong as iron. While the species generally shows off in autumn, 'Wisconsin Red' offers especially striking fiery red, orange, and yellow fall color.

Conditions: Full sun to full shade; average soil
Size: 15 - 20' tall, 10' - 15' wide
Zone: 3 - 9
Wildlife Value: Larval host to dozens butterfly and moth species, including the American Dagger Moth; nutlets provide food for various wildlife in autumn

Photo: Dr. Harold Sweetman