The American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a deciduous hardwood shade tree that's native to eastern North America. It is part of the Betulaceae (birch) family and has several nicknames, including blue beech, muscle beech, water beech, muscletree, musclewood, and ironwood. The reference to muscle relates to
the tree's characteristic fluted trunk and branches that look like muscle tissue. Its wood is very strong and sometimes is used to make tools and other implements.

Best planted in the spring, this tree has a slow growth rate, gaining around a foot a year. It produces dark green summer leaves that turn a variegated orange in the fall. Come winter, its blue-gray bark creates a beautiful contrast to the snow in northern climates. The hornbeam is a great tree to add to any landscape, as
it's a medium size and resistant to most pests and diseases.

20 to 25 feet wide and 20 to 35 feet tall