Native Highlights: Musclewood

Musclewood
Musclewood in fall.
Musclewood fruit
Muscle-like bark
Great fall foliage

Botanical name: Carpinus caroliniana

Common names: Musclewood, American Hornbeam, Blue Beech

Musclewood is a small single or multi-stemmed tree with wide spreading branches, giving it a broad spreading crown. With fluted bark, interesting pendulous fruit, and fantastic fall color, Musclewood is an outstanding Wisconsin native specimen plant for almost any landscape.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-9

Height: 25-30’

Spread: 20-30’

Form: Upright when young, becoming wide and spreading as it matures. Musclewood is available as a single or multi-stem tree. The branching forms a great silhouette in winter.

Growth rate: Moderate when young but slows with age.

Habitat: Forest understory tree for well drained to wet soils. Naturally found along stream banks, ponds, and swamps. Will grow in full sun to part shade.

Flower: Male and female flowers appear separately in spring. Male flowers are a 3” long, drooping, yellowish-green catkins while the female flowers hang from the tips of the new growth.

Fruit: Numerous, green winged nutlets form a 3” long, pendulous cluster that becomes papery brown into fall.

Bark: Slate gray. Twisted, vertical fluting on the trunk and large stems gives it a muscle-like appearance.

Fall color: Glowing red, orange, and clear yellow

Tolerances: Will tolerate dry soils yet prefer moist, slightly alkaline soils. Wind.

Attracts: Butterflies, songbirds, grouse, pheasant, quail, turkey, and squirrel. Provides great cover for nesting birds. Deer could browse.

Uses: Specimen tree, understory tree, shade tree, near ponds and streams, screening, great for wildlife

Interesting facts: Johnsons Nursery, Inc. produces and grows Musclewood from a local seed source that has a reliably fantastic fall color. Our Musclewood also transplants easily and quickly.

Carpinus caroliniana can be easily mistaken for Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) due to the similar leaf structure and  zig zag branching habit.

Ethnobotany:  The Chippewa used the wood of Carpinus as the main supporting posts for the ridge pole of the wigwam or tent.